anxiety disorders

separation anxiety disorder

recurrent and excessive distress about anticipating or being away from home or loved ones; constant, excessive worry about losing a parent or other loved one to an illness or a disaster

selective (elective) mutism

anxiety disorder characterized by a persons inability to speak in certain social settings such as at school, work, or in the community

specific phobias

an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger

social anxiety disorder

an anxiety disorder with symptoms that may include excess fear of situations in which one may be judged, worry about embarrassment or humiliation, or concern about offending someone

panic disorder

anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress

agoraphobia

anxiety disorder with symptoms that include fear and avoidance of places and situations that might cause feelings of panic, entrapment, helplessness, or embarrassment

generalized anxiety disorder

anxiety disorder with symptoms including persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that are out of proportion to the impact of the events or overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes

which of the following is the most common difference between different subtypes of anxiety disorders?

the specific situations or objects that trigger the anxiety

which of the following describes the prevalence of anxiety disorders?

anxiety disorders are the worlds most common mental health disorders, the prevalence of any anxiety disorder in a given year is about 20% of individuals, women are more likely than men to have an anxiety disorder

which of the following best describes the genetic risk for anxiety disorders

about 30% of the overall risk can be attributed to many potential low-effect size genetic factors

which of the following is an example of an environmental factor that is most likely associated with the risk of anxiety disorders?

negative life events

which of the following is an epigenetic mechanism that might contribute to the risk for an anxiety disorder?

DNA methylation involving the covalent transfer of a methyl group to the C-5 position of the cytosine ring of DNA in response to environmental stimuli, responses to environmental stimuli that results in the modification of histone proteins by acetylation and methylation resulting in changes in gene expression, changes in the function of long non-coding RNA molecules (IncRNA) in response to environmental factors that result in changes in gene expression

which of the following are key brain regions involved in the generation and regulation of emotions and threat detection

amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, insular cortex

which of the following are the structures that make up the HPA axis?

hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland

in the HPA axis, what do corticotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin, and cortisol have in common?

they are hormones

which region of the brain contains high levels of glucocorticoid receptors that are activated by cortisol, resulting in an inhibitory signal being sent to the HPA axis, shutting it down?

hippocampus

sympathetic nervous system

it plays a crucial role in preparing the body for stressful or dangerous situations, also known as “fight-or-flight” response

parasympathetic nervous system

it is responsible for the “rest and digest” response, promoting relaxation and conserving energy

which of the following areas could be involved in an anxiety disorder?

improper threat assessment, improper activation of the HPA axis, improper response to corticotropin-releasing hormone, improper response to corticotropin, over activation of the sympathetic division of the ANS, under activity of the parasympathetic division of the ANS, improper response of the hippocampus to cortisol

which of the following is a class of small molecule compounds that bind to GABA receptors and make them more responsive to GABA neurotransmission and are used as a treatment for anxiety disorders?

benzodiazepines

which of the following approaches to the treatment of anxiety disorders is associated with the best outcomes for individuals

a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy