Anxiety Disorders and Related Concepts

These flashcards cover key terms, definitions, and concepts related to anxiety disorders, their symptoms, classifications, etiology, and treatment options.

Fear

Emotional response to a real or perceived threat.

Anxiety

Subjective feeling of fear and uneasiness to an unknown threat or internal conflict.

Anxiety Disorder

Disorders sharing features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavior disturbance.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Marked and disproportionate fear consistently triggered by potential social scrutiny.

Specific Phobia

Marked and disproportionate fear consistently triggered by specific objects or situations.

Panic Disorder

Sudden uncontrolled fear related to perceived threat, characterized by recurring intense fear.

Agoraphobia

Fear of places or situations where rapid exit is difficult or help is unavailable.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Chronic persistent, unrealistic, excessive worry interfering with daily activities.

Selective Mutism

Consistent failure to speak in social situations where speaking is expected, despite speaking in other situations.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear concerning separation from attachment figures.

Biological Theories of Anxiety

Include genetics, neuroanatomical changes, and increased sympathetic activity.

Cognitive Behavior Theory

Proposes that anxiety results from faulty cognitions and cognitive appraisals by individuals.

Psychological Symptoms of Anxiety

Withdrawal, irritability, insomnia, lack of interest, and fear of losing control.

Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, palpitations, restlessness, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors).

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Preoccupation with perceived defects in appearance, leading to excessive grooming and distress.

Hoarding Disorder

Persistent difficulty discarding possessions due to strong perceived need to save them.

Trichotillomania

Urge to pull out one’s own hair from any part of the body.

Excoriation

Repetitive and compulsive picking of the skin leading to tissue damage.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, first-line treatment for anxiety disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychotherapy focusing on changing negative thoughts and behaviors associated with anxiety.

Biological Factors in Mood Disorders

Include genetics, neurotransmitter abnormalities, and neuroendocrine dysregulation.