Anxiety Disorders

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts related to anxiety disorders, including definitions important for the upcoming review.

Anxiety

The unpleasant feeling of fear and apprehension.

Panic Disorder

A disorder characterized by recurrent panic attacks involving sudden onset of physiological symptoms, fear, and feelings of impending doom.

Agoraphobia

Fear of being in public places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of a panic attack.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A disorder involving persistent, uncontrollable worry, often about minor things, accompanied by physical symptoms like restlessness and muscle tension.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

A condition characterized by intense fear of being judged by others, leading to avoidance of social situations.

Specific Phobias

Intense, unwarranted fears of specific objects or situations that lead to avoidance behavior.

Cognitive Theory

A psychological approach that considers people's thoughts and interpretations as contributing factors to anxiety disorders.

Behavioral Theory

A framework suggesting that phobias are learned through conditioning and that avoidance behavior can reinforce anxiety.

Metacognitive Beliefs

Beliefs about worrying, including perceptions that worrying helps solve problems or is dangerous.

Biological Theories

Theories positing that genetic factors or physiological processes play a significant role in the development of anxiety disorders.

Mindfulness-based Approaches

Therapeutic strategies that focus on being aware and accepting of anxious thoughts and feelings rather than attempting to control or avoid them.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

A part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions and is implicated in anxiety responses.