AP Psych Unit 5 | Anxiety & Trauma

anxiety disorders

characterized by excessive fear and anxiety that lead to significant disturbances in behavior

specific phobia

a psychological disorder characterized by an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation

• leads to significant distress and avoidance behavior that disrupts daily functioning

agoraphobia

psychological disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable

• often leads to avoidance of places like public spaces or crowds

• significantly impacts daily activities

panic disorder

recurrent and unexpected panic attacks accompanied by physical symptoms like heart palpitations, and ongoing concern about having additional attacks or their consequences

ataque de nervios

episodes of intense emotional distress, dramatic expressions of emotion, such as screaming or crying, and sometimes uncontrollable physical symptoms like shaking or feeling as if one is suffocating

social anxiety disorder

significant and persistent fear of social situations where embarrassment or scrutiny may occur

• leads to avoidance behaviors and severe anxiety about performing or interacting in certain social contexts

taijin kyofusho (TKS)

predominantly observed in Japan, characterized by an intense fear of offending or embarrassing others through one’s bodily functions or appearance

• leads to significant social anxiety and avoidance behaviors

generalized anxiety disorder

persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life, accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating

• not tied to any specific cause or event

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions)

• and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions)

that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession

• typically aimed at reducing anxiety but causing significant distress and interference in daily functioning

hoarding disorder

persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, due to a perceived need to save them, resulting in excessive accumulation that compromises the use of living areas and significantly impairs daily functioning

trauma and stressor-related disorders

involve psychological distress following exposure to a traumatic or stressful event, characterized by symptoms such as hypervigilance, severe anxiety, flashbacks, insomnia, emotional detachment, and hostility, which impair daily functioning

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

persistent mental and emotional stress following exposure to a traumatic event, featuring symptoms such as:

• intrusive memories (flashbacks)

• avoidance of reminders of the trauma (triggers)

• heightened reactivity

• emotional numbness