Psychopathology: Anxiety and Related Disorders

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary and key concepts from the lecture on anxiety disorders, providing definitions and explanations for significant terms related to psychopathology.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Disorder marked by persistent and excessive feelings of anxiety and worry about numerous events and activities.

Fear

Central nervous system’s physiological and emotional response to a serious threat to one’s well-being.

Anxiety

Central nervous system’s physiological and emotional response to a vague sense of threat or danger.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Extreme anxiety occurring upon separation from key individuals, which can develop in both children and adults.

Metacognitive Theory

Theory suggesting that people's beliefs about worrying can predict the development of anxiety disorders.

Intolerance of Uncertainty Theory

Theory suggesting that individuals cannot tolerate the knowledge that negative events may occur, which leaves them vulnerable to anxiety.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A treatment approach focusing on changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors associated with anxiety disorders.

Panic Disorder

Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having more attacks.

Agoraphobia

Fear and avoidance of places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of a panic attack.

Avoidance Theory

Theory suggesting that worrying serves to reduce bodily arousal, distracting individuals from unpleasant physical sensations.

Social Anxiety Disorder

An intense fear of social situations where individuals may be scrutinized by others.

Specific Phobia

Marked and persistent fear of a specific object or situation, typically resulting in avoidance behavior.

Benzodiazepines

Medications commonly used to relieve anxiety symptoms by acting on GABA receptors in the brain.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder checklist

Includes experiencing uncontrollable anxiety about multiple matters for over six months, with accompanying symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and sleep problems.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Focuses on early parent-child relationships and internal conflicts as contributing factors to anxiety disorders.

Fear Circuit

Network of brain structures that work together during fear responses; hyperactivity in this circuit is linked to disorders like GAD.

Triple Vulnerability Model of Anxiety

Includes biological risk, psychological vulnerability, and learned specific fears; three factors contributing to anxiety disorders.