HOSA TEXTBOOK...

What are anxiety disorders characterized by?

Anxiety disorders take many forms but all share the core characteristic of unrealistic and counterproductive levels of anxiety.

What are the two major components of anxiety?

1. Strong negative emotions 2. Physical tension due to the anticipation of danger.

How does anxiety differ from fear?

Anxiety is the anticipation of potential danger (whether real or not), whereas fear occurs when something is happening in the present.

What percentage of Americans experience anxiety disorders in their lifetime?

Approximately 30% of all Americans experience one or more anxiety disorders during their lifetime.

How does gender affect the diagnosis of anxiety disorders?

Women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders than men.

What is a specific phobia?

Specific phobias are fears of objects or situations other than those associated with agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder.

What is social anxiety disorder?

A disorder characterized by an unrealistic fear of being scrutinized and criticized by others.

What triggers the development of phobias?

Phobias may arise from classical conditioning, imitation, and observation of fear responses.

What is panic disorder?

Panic disorder features repeated panic attacks and fear of future attacks.

Who is less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders in the U.S.?

African Americans and Hispanics living in the United States are less likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders compared to White Americans.

What percentage of college students report having had at least one panic attack in the previous year?

One quarter to one third of college students report having had at least one panic attack in the previous year.

What is the prevalence of panic disorder in the population?

Panic disorder affects 2.7% of the population in any given year.

Which gender is more likely to experience panic attacks and panic disorder?

Women are more likely to experience panic attacks and panic disorder than men.

What mental health condition is commonly diagnosed alongside panic disorder?

More than half of people with panic disorder have also been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) or another type of anxiety disorder.

When do panic attacks typically begin?

Panic attacks begin to occur in adolescence and young adulthood.

What are common physical symptoms of panic attacks?

Panic attacks may include symptoms such as pounding heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, and dizziness.

What is agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces and often develops as a result of panic disorder, leading individuals to fear public situations.

What biological factor has been linked to panic disorder?

People with panic disorder have larger quantities of orexins, chemical messengers that may contribute to panic attacks.

What cognitive explanation is proposed for panic disorder?

Cognitive theories suggest that the interpretation of body symptoms, like increased heart rate, can trigger panic by causing the individual to misinterpret their physical state.

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

GAD is diagnosed when a person has experienced excessive anxiety and worry for 6 months that is not correlated with specific objects or situations.

What role does the amygdala play in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

The amygdala is involved in the fear circuit and is rich in GABA receptors, which inhibit brain activity related to anxiety.

What cultural factor is associated with panic disorder?

In Japan, the fear of offending or embarrassing others, known as taijin kyofusho, significantly differs from social anxiety in Western cultures.

What does Morita Therapy focus on?

Morita Therapy emphasizes accepting feelings, recognizing purpose, and taking necessary actions to treat anxiety disorders.

What are cognitive explanations for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Cognitive models suggest that schemas or belief systems people develop can maintain high levels of worry, especially if a child perceives the world as dangerous. Worrying can become a coping strategy leading to constant anxiety.

How do social factors influence GAD?

Individuals in lower socioeconomic classes are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with GAD, and disruptions in social connectivity (e.g., divorce, job loss) are associated with higher rates of GAD.

What does the integrated model of GAD suggest?

GAD is likely to occur in individuals with a high-reactive temperament, who develop negative schemas and high worry levels, exacerbated by stress from socioeconomic factors and disruptions in social networks.

What is the relationship between temperament and GAD?

Individuals with a high-reactive temperament may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety, which leads to the development of cognitive patterns that maintain high levels of worry.

How does the prefrontal cortex function in individuals with GAD?

The prefrontal cortex is particularly active when people with GAD see angry faces, suggesting it has to work harder to control incoming danger signals from the amygdala.

What is the diagnostic criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

GAD is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that is not correlated with particular objects or situations, affecting life quality for at least 6 months.

What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

A disorder caused by the experience of trauma, leading to flashbacks, dreams, hypervigilance, and avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event.

What are common symptoms of PTSD?

Symptoms include hypervigilance, avoidance of stimuli related to the trauma, emotional numbing, and reexperiencing the traumatic event through intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares.

What percentage of the adult population in the U.S. is affected by PTSD each year?

PTSD affects between 3% and 4% of the adult population in the United States each year.

How do children with PTSD express their trauma?

Children with PTSD often reenact the traumatic event through play, which can have either positive or negative effects depending on whether the play includes resolution.

What is the heritability of PTSD?

Genetic studies suggest that PTSD is heritable, with its genetic profile overlapping significantly with schizophrenia.

How is hippocampal volume related to PTSD?

Studies show PTSD is correlated with smaller hippocampal volume, suggesting it may be a risk factor rather than an outcome of the disorder.

How do benzodiazepines interact with PTSD?

Individuals with PTSD appear to have different responses to benzodiazepines, which are medications that interact with GABA systems to reduce anxiety.

What impact do social factors have on the development of PTSD?

People reporting low social support before a traumatic event, such as 9/11, were twice as likely to be diagnosed with PTSD compared to those with strong support.

What is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)?

A disorder characterized by the unrealistic perception of physical flaws, often leading to dissatisfaction and repeated requests for cosmetic surgery.

How does PTSD relate to social and cultural factors?

Cultural factors influence PTSD incidence; for example, varying rates were observed among different ethnicities following 9/11, affecting 13.4% of Hispanics but only 3.2% of Asian Americans.

What is dissociative identity disorder?

A disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or an experience of possession, accompanied by recurrent gaps in the recall of everyday events, personal information, or traumatic events.

What is somatic symptom disorder?

A disorder diagnosed when people are unusually concerned and preoccupied with chronic somatic symptoms about which they are excessively anxious, often leading to frequent visits to physicians and unnecessary medical tests.

What are common symptoms of somatic symptom disorder?

Symptoms may include vague pain complaints, gastrointestinal upset, sexual problems, amnesia, breathing problems, or unexplained sensory or motor issues.

What is antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)?

A disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, marked by impulsivity and irresponsible behavior.

What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

A disorder characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions, often leading to impulsive behavior and self-destructive actions.

What is narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)?

A disorder characterized by grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.

What percentage of the population is affected by borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

Borderline personality disorder affects about 2% of the population, with a higher prevalence in women (3 to 1 ratio).

What are some potential causes of borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder is associated with histories of abandonment, neglect, and abuse, interacting with potential genetic predispositions.

What is the heritability of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)?

Antisocial personality disorder has a heritability of approximately 50%.

What brain area is often associated with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)?

Individuals with ASPD often show reduced volume and activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is linked to poor judgment and impulsivity.