8- The Bio-Psycho-Social Model of Anxiety - What Causes Anxiety Disorders? Break the Anxiety Cycle 8/30 (Therapy in a Nutshell)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmlvCsyxeDc&list=PLiUrrIiqidTVqab7pZivzb-e-tMA8qjd-&index=9

Correct answer: C. Biopsychosocial model

Explanation:
The text explicitly explains anxiety using the biopsychosocial model, combining biological, psychological, and social factors.

Which model is used in the text to explain the causes of anxiety disorders?

A. Medical model
B. Behavioral model
C. Biopsychosocial model
D. Psychoanalytic model

Correct answer: C. 25–35%

Explanation:
The passage states that genetics contribute around 25–35% to generalized anxiety disorder.

According to heritability estimates mentioned, genes contribute to generalized anxiety disorder approximately:

A. 5–10%
B. 10–20%
C. 25–35%
D. 60–80%

Correct answer: D. Amygdala

Explanation:
The amygdala is described as detecting threats and triggering fear responses, similar to a smoke alarm.

Which brain structure is described as the “smoke alarm of the brain” and is associated with fear?

A. Hippocampus
B. Prefrontal cortex
C. Insula
D. Amygdala

Correct answer: B. Increased amygdala blood flow and reactivity

Explanation:
The text notes increased blood flow and activity in the amygdala in people with anxiety disorders.

Which of the following brain-related findings is associated with anxiety disorders according to the text?

A. Reduced amygdala blood flow
B. Increased amygdala blood flow and reactivity
C. Complete loss of gray matter
D. Increased hippocampal volume only

Correct answer: C. Internal body monitoring

Explanation:
The insula monitors internal bodily sensations such as pain and anxiety.

The insula is described as being responsible for:

A. Language processing
B. Memory storage
C. Internal body monitoring
D. Logical reasoning

Correct answer: C. Sensitivity can be adaptive and valuable

Explanation:
The text frames sensitivity as part of neurodiversity and potentially beneficial to society.

Which statement best reflects the text’s view on sensitivity and anxiety?

A. Sensitivity is always pathological
B. Sensitive people should avoid responsibility
C. Sensitivity can be adaptive and valuable
D. Sensitivity must be eliminated to reduce anxiety

Correct answer: B. Overactive adrenal gland

Explanation:
An overactive adrenal gland can intensify physical anxiety symptoms.

Which chemical or physical factor is mentioned as possibly increasing anxiety symptoms?

A. Low dopamine only
B. Overactive adrenal gland
C. High calcium intake
D. Increased melatonin

Correct answer: C. Neuroplasticity

Explanation:
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change its structure and functioning based on experience.

What concept explains how the brain physically changes based on thoughts and experiences?

A. Classical conditioning
B. Neurodiversity
C. Neuroplasticity
D. Cognitive dissonance

Correct answer: B. Decreased amygdala size or reactivity

Explanation:
The text cites research showing that CBT can reduce amygdala size or activity.

According to the text, treating anxiety with CBT can lead to:

A. Permanent elimination of fear
B. Decreased amygdala size or reactivity
C. Increased cortisol production
D. Reduced intelligence

Correct answer: C. Perceived danger

Explanation:
The passage emphasizes that anxiety is largely about perceived danger, not actual danger.

Anxiety is described as being driven more by:

A. Actual danger
B. Genetic mutations only
C. Perceived danger
D. Social pressure alone

Correct answer: B. Rumination and avoidance

Explanation:
Avoidance and rumination repeatedly signal danger to the brain, maintaining anxiety.

Which behavior is identified as maintaining anxiety over time?

A. Exposure and acceptance
B. Rumination and avoidance
C. Emotional expression
D. Problem-solving

Correct answer: B. The brain learns by watching others

Explanation:
The text explains that humans learn fears by observing others, which is adaptive.

Observational learning contributes to anxiety because:

A. People inherit fears directly from parents
B. The brain learns by watching others
C. Anxiety is contagious
D. Fear responses are automatic

Correct answer: C. Watching a friend safely interact with a dog

Explanation:
Repeated safe observation can retrain the brain to see dogs as non-threatening.

Which example best illustrates how anxiety can be unlearned?

A. Avoiding all dogs permanently
B. Taking medication only
C. Watching a friend safely interact with a dog
D. Ignoring fear signals

Correct answer: C. Current thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions

Explanation:
While trauma may initiate anxiety, present coping strategies and beliefs maintain it.

What does the text identify as the main factor that maintains anxiety in the present?

A. Past trauma alone
B. Genetic inheritance
C. Current thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions
D. Brain structure that cannot change

Correct answer: C. Multiple factors mean multiple treatment options

Explanation:
Seeing anxiety as multifactorial provides many opportunities for intervention and improvement.

The main takeaway of the biopsychosocial approach is that:

A. Anxiety has a single cause
B. Anxiety cannot be treated
C. Multiple factors mean multiple treatment options
D. Biology is more important than psychology

Correct answer: B. Epigenetic influence

Explanation:
The text explains that life experiences, such as childhood trauma, can activate or deactivate genetic vulnerabilities, which reflects epigenetic processes.

The idea that genes related to anxiety can be turned on or off by life experiences best describes:

A. Genetic determinism
B. Epigenetic influence
C. Neurodiversity
D. Classical conditioning

Correct answer: C. A form of neurodiversity with adaptive value

Explanation:
Sensitivity is framed as biologically normal and socially useful, aligning with the concept of neurodiversity.

The video suggests that anxiety-related sensitivity should be understood as:

A. A disorder that must be eliminated
B. A weakness caused by poor coping
C. A form of neurodiversity with adaptive value
D. A purely learned behavior

Correct answer: B. Thyroid dysfunction and adrenal activity

Explanation:
The text explicitly states that anxiety is not just about low serotonin and mentions thyroid and adrenal factors.

Which of the following is presented as evidence that anxiety is not simply caused by low serotonin?

A. Amygdala enlargement
B. Thyroid dysfunction and adrenal activity
C. Increased gray matter
D. Observational learning

Correct answer: C. Sleep and nutrient absorption

Explanation:
Sleep quality and the ability to absorb nutrients are mentioned as factors affecting stress resilience.

Which physical factor is described as influencing a person’s resilience to stress?

A. IQ level
B. Political beliefs
C. Sleep and nutrient absorption
D. Personality type

Correct answer: C. Reduces emotional and physical reserves

Explanation:
Illness such as cancer is described as reducing emotional reserves, making coping with anxiety harder.

According to the text, physical illness can worsen anxiety primarily because it:

A. Changes personality traits
B. Increases social isolation only
C. Reduces emotional and physical reserves
D. Permanently alters brain structure

Correct answer: C. Brain changes and anxiety influence each other

Explanation:
The text emphasizes a bidirectional relationship between brain changes and anxiety.

The “chicken-and-egg” problem in anxiety refers to the idea that:

A. Anxiety always precedes brain changes
B. Brain changes always precede anxiety
C. Brain changes and anxiety influence each other
D. Anxiety has no biological basis

Correct answer: C. It demonstrated brain changes after therapy

Explanation:
The study is used to show that CBT can lead to measurable reductions in amygdala size or activity.

Why is the Norway internet-based CBT study significant in the context of anxiety?

A. It eliminated anxiety completely
B. It showed medication was unnecessary
C. It demonstrated brain changes after therapy
D. It proved anxiety is genetic

Correct answer: B. It is paired with fear-based interpretations

Explanation:
The text explains that sensitivity becomes anxiety when bodily signals are interpreted as dangerous.

Heightened internal body awareness can become problematic when:

A. It leads to artistic creativity
B. It is paired with fear-based interpretations
C. It improves empathy
D. It reduces emotional awareness

Correct answer: C. Multiple interacting factors shape anxiety outcomes

Explanation:
The examples demonstrate how biology, psychology, and environment interact to produce different outcomes.

The twin thought experiments are used primarily to illustrate that:

A. Genetics determine mental health outcomes
B. Environment alone causes anxiety
C. Multiple interacting factors shape anxiety outcomes
D. Anxiety cannot be prevented

Correct answer: C. Low physical energy and chronic inflammation

Explanation:
The text links folate metabolism issues and inflammation to fatigue and reduced coping capacity.

In the sibling example involving the MTHFR gene, anxiety and depression emerge mainly because of:

A. Poor parenting
B. Social rejection
C. Low physical energy and chronic inflammation
D. Lack of intelligence

Correct answer: C. Cannot be changed once developed

Explanation:
The text stresses that beliefs learned from the environment can later be changed.

The perfectionistic household example illustrates that anxiety:

A. Is inherited directly from parents
B. Is learned and therefore can be unlearned
C. Cannot be changed once developed
D. Is caused by high intelligence

Correct answer: C. Self-compassion and acceptance

Explanation:
The video emphasizes being gentle with oneself and accepting biological predispositions.

Which attitude toward anxiety is encouraged as a key takeaway?

A. Suppression of anxious thoughts
B. Self-criticism to build resilience
C. Self-compassion and acceptance
D. Complete avoidance of stress

Correct answer: B. Experienced by almost everyone at times

Explanation:
The text states that about 95% of people experience anxiety and that it can be normal and healthy.

According to the text, anxiety is best understood as:

A. Rare and pathological
B. Experienced by almost everyone at times
C. A sign of weakness
D. Always harmful

Correct answer: C. Some factors are modifiable while others are not

Explanation:
The biopsychosocial model allows for working on changeable factors while accepting fixed ones.

The phrase “accept what you can’t change, change what you can” reflects which core message?

A. Anxiety is fixed
B. Biology outweighs psychology
C. Some factors are modifiable while others are not
D. Treatment is unnecessary

Correct answer: C. Creates multiple paths for improvement

Explanation:
Multiple contributing factors mean multiple treatment and coping options.

Viewing anxiety through a biopsychosocial lens is empowering because it:

A. Identifies a single root cause
B. Eliminates uncertainty
C. Creates multiple paths for improvement
D. Focuses only on medication