Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Trauma-Related Disorders

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding anxiety, OCD, and trauma-related disorders, focusing on definitions and essential characteristics.

Anxiety

A common emotion characterized by physical symptoms, future-oriented thoughts, and escape or avoidance behaviors.

Fight-or-Flight Response

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system triggered by fear or stress, increasing heart rate and respiration.

Panic Attack

A discrete period of intense fear and physical arousal that develops abruptly and peaks in about ten minutes.

Agoraphobia

Fear of the marketplace, often involving avoidance of situations where escape may be difficult.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Excessive worry about various aspects of life lasting at least six months, commonly starting in late teens or early adulthood.

Social Anxiety Disorder

A pervasive pattern of social timidity where individuals fear embarrassment or humiliation in social situations.

Specific Phobias

Severe and persistent fears of specific objects or situations that significantly disrupt daily functioning.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A condition involving intrusive thoughts (obsessions) combined with repetitive behaviors (compulsions) meant to reduce anxiety.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A condition following exposure to a traumatic event, characterized by persistent symptoms of arousal and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli.

Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

An unreasonable fear of separation from a parent or caregiver, commonly affecting 3 to 5% of children.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A well-researched treatment combining exposure techniques with cognitive restructuring to improve coping strategies.

Negative Reinforcement

A behavioral principle that increases avoidance behavior and anxiety by removing adverse stimuli.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of two or more disorders in the same individual; prevalent in those with anxiety disorders.

Vicarious Learning Theory

A learning process wherein individuals learn behaviors by observing others.

Exposure Therapy

A behavioral treatment approach that helps clients confront their fears in controlled settings.

Behavioral Inhibition

A temperament trait characterized by withdrawal from unfamiliar people, objects, or situations.