Understanding Adaptive & Maladaptive Emotions Quiz 5/19

Fear

Immediate, present-oriented alarm reaction to real or perceived danger.

Anxiety

Future-oriented mood state with anticipation of potential threat.

What are the core features of anxiety disorders?

Excessive fear or anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and distress or impairment in functioning.

Name three brain areas involved in anxiety.

Amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus.

Which neurotransmitter is primarily inhibitory and associated with anxiety regulation?

GABA

Generalized Anxiety Disorder definition

Excessive worry more days than not for 6+ months.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms

restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance.

How long must symptoms persist to diagnose Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

At least 6 months.

Panic Disorder has to be…

Followed by 1+ month of:

• Persistent concern about more attacks.

• Behavioral change to avoid attacks.

What defines a panic attack?

An abrupt surge of intense fear/discomfort peaking within minutes, with 4+ physical symptoms (e.g., heart palpitations, sweating).

Agoraphobia

Fear of 2+ situations (e.g., public transport, open spaces) where escape may be difficult or help unavailable during panic.

Q: How long must fear last to diagnose Specific Phobia?

6 months or more.

What are the subtypes of Specific Phobia?

animal, natural environment, blood-injection-injury, situational.

What is the key fear in Social Anxiety Disorder?

Fear of being negatively evaluated or embarrassed in social situations.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Inappropriate fear of separation from attachment figures.

What is the minimum symptom duration for Separation Anxiety Disorder?

6 months (adults) 4 weeks (children)

What is the hallmark of Selective Mutism?

Failure to speak in certain social situations despite speaking in others, lasting at least 1 month. Also interferes with functioning.

Selective Mutism duration

Can last 1+ month

Amygdala

fear processing (hyperactive)

Prefrontal cortex

impaired regulation of fear.

HPA Axis

heightened stress response.

Serotonin (5-HT)

Regulates mood and anxiety.

Norepinephrine (NE)

Heightened arousal and alertness.

What kind of parenting is associated with higher anxiety risk?

Overprotective or controlling parenting.

What is classical conditioning's role in anxiety?

It explains how fear responses can be learned (e.g., Little Albert experiment).

How does operant conditioning maintain anxiety?

Avoidance reduces fear short-term (negative reinforcement), which strengthens avoidance.

What is the first-line psychological treatment for anxiety disorders?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What are the three key components of CBT for anxiety?

Cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and relaxation training.

Which medications are typically first-line pharmacological treatments for anxiety?

SSRIs and SNRIs.

Why are benzodiazepines not recommended for long-term use?

Risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

What does exposure therapy aim to do?

Gradually reduce fear through repeated contact with the feared stimulus.

Are anxiety disorders more common in men or women?

Women.

What are two common comorbidities with anxiety disorders?

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Substance Use Disorders.

At what age do anxiety disorders often begin?

Childhood to early adulthood.

What is the CBT model in the context of anxiety?

It explains anxiety as a cycle where thoughts trigger physical symptoms, leading to avoidance behaviors, which reinforce the anxious thoughts.

How can you differentiate Generalized Anxiety Disorder from Panic Disorder?

GAD involves chronic worry; Panic Disorder involves sudden, intense panic attacks.

What is the difference between Social Anxiety Disorder and Agoraphobia?

SAD is fear of being judged in social situations; Agoraphobia is fear of places where escape/help may be difficult.

How does Avoidant Personality Disorder differ from Social Anxiety Disorder?

Avoidant PD is more pervasive, with a stable personality pattern; SAD is more situational and distress-specific

What is considered the most effective psychological treatment for anxiety disorders?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Why are benzodiazepines not typically used long-term for anxiety?

Because they carry a risk of dependence and withdrawal.

Which anxiety disorders commonly begin in childhood?

Separation Anxiety Disorder and Selective Mutism.

At what life stage does Panic Disorder most commonly emerge?

Adolescence or early adulthood.

Why does avoidance maintain anxiety?

Because it reduces anxiety short-term, reinforcing the behavior and preventing fear extinction.

Which mental disorders are the most prevalent globally?

Anxiety disorders.

What is the typical gender ratio in anxiety disorders?

About 2:1, with females more commonly affected.

What is the role of the amygdala in anxiety?

It detects and amplifies threat signals.

How does the prefrontal cortex affect anxiety regulation?

It regulates the amygdala's fear response; underactivation can result in poor fear control.

Why is attentional bias to threat in anxiety?

The tendency to unconsciously focus more on threatening stimuli.