Week 6 - Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Anxiety

Derived from the German root 'Angh', it refers to feelings of pressure, tightness, and constriction.

Panic Disorder

Presence of recurrent panic attacks that are sudden, intense periods of fear or discomfort.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent and excessive anxiety or worry about several events or activities, difficult to control.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Characterized by obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (ritualistic behaviors) that occupy significant time.

Phobias

An irrational fear of a specific stimulus that is out of proportion to the actual threat.

DSM-5

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which includes major changes in definitions and categorizations.

Anxiety Sensitivity

A cognitive predisposition that manifests as fear of anxiety-related sensations, perceived as harmful.

Exposure Therapy

A treatment method that involves exposing patients to the source of their anxiety to reduce fear and avoidance.

Cognitive Restructuring

A cognitive therapy technique that focuses on identifying and changing irrational or negative thoughts.

Preparedness Model

The theory that certain fears, such as snakes or spiders, are more easily acquired because they were once threats to human ancestors.

Social Phobia

The most common type of anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of social situations.

Emotional Fear Responses

Adaptive responses to fear that can become maladaptive when triggered inappropriately.