Abnormal psych DSM-5-TR anxiety disorders study guide
This study guide covers anxiety disorders as outlined in the DSM-5-TR, focusing on definitions, symptoms, and examples relevant to college-level psychology students.
Quiz(48 questions)
1. What characterizes specific phobias?
Terms in this Study Set(48)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)(12)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) definition
GAD is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, lasting for at least six months.
Key symptoms of GAD
- Restlessness - Fatigue - Difficulty concentrating - Irritability - Muscle tension - Sleep disturbances
True or False: GAD only involves worry about health.
False. GAD involves worry about multiple life areas, including work, relationships, and personal situations.
How does GAD differ from normal anxiety?
GAD involves persistent worry that is disproportionate and difficult to control, unlike normal anxiety which is often situational and temporary.
Fill in the blank: GAD symptoms must last for at least ____ months.
6 months.
What percentage of the population is affected by GAD?
Approximately 3.1% of the U.S. adult population experiences GAD in a given year.
Common physical symptoms of GAD
- Sweating - Rapid heartbeat - Nausea - Trembling - Shortness of breath
Cause → Effect: Chronic stress leads to ____
Increased likelihood of developing GAD due to heightened arousal and anxiety response.
What role does cognitive distortion play in GAD?
Individuals with GAD often exhibit cognitive distortions, such as overestimating danger and underestimating coping abilities.
True or False: GAD can occur alongside other disorders.
True. GAD frequently co-occurs with depression and other anxiety disorders.
Example of GAD in daily life
A student constantly worries about grades, social interactions, and future career despite doing well academically.
GAD treatment options include
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Medication (e.g., SSRIs, benzodiazepines) - Lifestyle changes (exercise, mindfulness)
Specific Phobias(12)
Specific Phobias definition
A type of anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation, leading to avoidance behavior.
Name a common specific phobia.
Examples include fear of heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), or enclosed spaces (claustrophobia).
True or False: Specific phobias are always irrational.
True. While some fears may be based on real dangers, the intensity of the fear is disproportionate to the actual threat.
Compare specific phobia and social anxiety.
Specific phobia involves fear of particular objects/situations, whereas social anxiety involves fear of social interactions and being judged.
Symptoms of specific phobias include:
- Panic attacks - Sweating - Rapid heartbeat - Avoidance behaviors
Fill in the blank: Specific phobias can lead to ______ in daily functioning.
significant impairment
What is the prevalence of specific phobias in the U.S.?
Approximately 12.5% of adults will experience a specific phobia at some point in their lives.
Short example of a specific phobia.
A person with a fear of flying may refuse to board an airplane, even for important events, due to overwhelming anxiety.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective for:
Treating specific phobias by addressing irrational thoughts and gradually exposing individuals to feared objects/situations.
What are the classifications of specific phobias?
- Animal - Natural environment - Blood-injection-injury - Situational - Other
Cause of specific phobias: Genetic factors.
Genetic predisposition may increase vulnerability to developing specific phobias, often influenced by environmental triggers.
Describe the role of avoidance in specific phobias.
Avoidance behavior reinforces the phobia by preventing the individual from confronting the fear, perpetuating anxiety.
Social Anxiety Disorder(12)
What is Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)?
A persistent fear of social situations where one may be judged or evaluated negatively.
List three common symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder.
- Intense fear of being embarrassed - Physical symptoms (sweating, trembling) - Avoidance of social interactions
True or False: Social Anxiety Disorder only affects adolescents.
False. SAD can affect individuals of any age, including adults.
What triggers Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social situations such as public speaking, meeting new people, or being observed.
How does Social Anxiety Disorder impact daily life?
It may lead to avoidance of work, school, or social events, affecting relationships.
Fill in the blank: Cognitive distortions in SAD include _______.
overestimating negative outcomes and underestimating social skills.
Compare Social Anxiety Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
SAD is focused on social situations, while GAD involves excessive worry about various life aspects.
What role does avoidance play in Social Anxiety Disorder?
Avoidance reinforces the fear, preventing individuals from facing and overcoming their anxiety.
Give an example of a behavior characteristic of Social Anxiety Disorder.
Avoiding eye contact during conversations due to fear of judgment.
What is a common treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in addressing thought patterns and behaviors.
True or False: Medication is the only solution for Social Anxiety Disorder.
False. While medication can help, therapy is often a critical component of treatment.
What is the prevalence of Social Anxiety Disorder in the U.S.?
Approximately 7% of the population experiences SAD at some point in their lives.
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia(12)
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes.
Symptoms of a panic attack include:
- Palpitations - Sweating - Trembling - Shortness of breath - Feelings of choking - Chest pain - Nausea or abdominal distress - Dizziness or lightheadedness - Chills or heat sensations - Numbness or tingling - Fear of losing control or dying
True or False: Panic Disorder can occur with or without agoraphobia.
True. Panic Disorder can exist independently or co-occur with Agoraphobia.
What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia involves intense fear or anxiety about being in situations where escape might be difficult, often leading to avoidance of places like crowded areas or public transport.
Panic Disorder vs. Agoraphobia: key difference.
Panic Disorder involves recurrent panic attacks, while Agoraphobia is fear of situations where escape during an attack might be difficult.
Fill in the blank: Panic attacks are often mistaken for _________.
heart attacks or severe medical issues.
How can Panic Disorder lead to Agoraphobia?
Panic attacks in public may cause individuals to avoid such places, resulting in Agoraphobia. This can limit daily activities.
What percentage of patients with Panic Disorder develop Agoraphobia?
Approximately 30-50% of individuals with Panic Disorder may develop Agoraphobia.
Common treatments for Panic Disorder include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Medications such as SSRIs or benzodiazepines - Mindfulness training - Exposure therapy
What role does avoidance play in Agoraphobia?
Avoidance of feared situations reinforces anxiety, making the condition worse over time.
True or False: Panic Disorder only affects adults.
False. Panic Disorder can affect adolescents and children, though symptoms may manifest differently.
Example of a Panic Attack:
A person experiences rapid heart rate, sweating, and fear of dying while driving on the highway, leading to avoidance of future trips.
Questions in this Study Set(48)
1. What characterizes specific phobias?
2. What is the primary characteristic of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
3. What is Panic Disorder characterized by?
4. What is the primary characteristic of Social Anxiety Disorder?
5. Which of the following is an example of a specific phobia?
6. Which of the following is NOT a key symptom of GAD?
7. Which of the following is NOT a typical symptom of a panic attack?
8. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of Social Anxiety Disorder?
9. True or False: All specific phobias are considered irrational.
10. How long must symptoms of GAD persist to meet diagnostic criteria?
11. True or False: Individuals with Panic Disorder often experience panic attacks in predictable situations.
12. What is a common trigger for individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder?
13. How do specific phobias differ from social anxiety disorder?
14. Which statement about GAD is TRUE?
15. How does Panic Disorder lead to Agoraphobia?
16. How might Social Anxiety Disorder affect a person's professional life?
17. Which symptom is commonly associated with specific phobias?
18. In terms of population, what percentage of U.S. adults experience GAD in a given year?
19. What percentage of people with Panic Disorder develop Agoraphobia?
20. Which cognitive distortion is often present in Social Anxiety Disorder?
21. Fill in the blank: Specific phobias can lead to ______ in daily life.
22. Which of the following is an example of a cognitive distortion often seen in GAD?
23. Which treatment method is commonly used for Panic Disorder?
24. What distinguishes Social Anxiety Disorder from Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
25. What percentage of adults in the U.S. will experience a specific phobia at some point in their lives?
26. True or False: GAD is only characterized by emotional symptoms.
27. What is Agoraphobia primarily associated with?
28. Which behavior is characteristic of someone with Social Anxiety Disorder?
29. Consider a person who avoids flying due to fear of heights. This is an example of which type of phobia?
30. Which of the following is NOT a common physical symptom of GAD?
31. True or False: Panic Disorder can occur in children and adolescents.
32. What role does avoidance play in Social Anxiety Disorder?
33. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for treating what aspect of specific phobias?
34. How does GAD typically differ from normal anxiety?
35. Which of the following describes a common physical symptom of a panic attack?
36. Which treatment is commonly used for Social Anxiety Disorder?
37. Which of the following is NOT a classification of specific phobias?
38. What is a common treatment option for GAD?
39. Fill in the blank: Panic attacks may often be mistaken for _________.
40. True or False: Social Anxiety Disorder can only affect teenagers.
41. What role does avoidance play in specific phobias?
42. Which scenario best illustrates GAD in everyday life?
43. Which situation is an example of Agoraphobia?
44. What is the approximate prevalence of Social Anxiety Disorder in the U.S.?
45. Genetic factors may contribute to the development of specific phobias by:
46. Chronic stress can lead to which of the following regarding GAD?
47. What is the key difference between Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia?
48. Which of the following is a common misconception about Social Anxiety Disorder?
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