Chapter 15: Anxiety Disorders, OCD, and PTSD

Anxiety

a general, vague feeling of apprehension or that one is in danger

Anxiety disorders

are marked by distressing, persisting anxiety or maladaptive behaviors that reduce anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

person is continually tense, apprehensive, and in a state of autonomic nervous system arousal

occurs more in women then men

Panic Disorder

person experiences sudden episodes of intense dread and often lives in fear of when the next attack might strike

occurs with smokers

Phobias

person experiences a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity, or situation

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

persistent and repetitive thoughts (obsessions), actions (compulsions), or both

occurs when obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors interfere with everyday life and cause distress

occurs in teens and young adults

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

characterized by haunting memories, nightmares, social withdrawal, jumpy anxiety, numbness of feeling, and/or insomnia lingering for four or more weeks after a traumatic experience

occurs in women more than men

person may have a smaller amygdala