Chapter 16.2

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety DisordersI. Anxiety is a general state of dread or uneasiness that

a person feels in response to a real or imagined danger

A. Those with anxiety disorder suffer from anxiety that is out of proportion to the situation provoking it

B. Characteristics of Anxiety Disorder

1. Interfere with everyday life

2. Most common mental illness

3. Feelings of inadequacy

4. Unrealistic images of themselves

5. Avoidance of problems

6. Constant worrying

7. Sudden mood swings

Characteristics of Anxiety Disorder (Cont.)

8. Variety of physical symptomsa. Headachesb. Sweatingc. Muscle tightnessd. Weaknesse. Fatigue

9. Difficulty forming stable and satisfying relationships

10. Refusal to give up self defeating behavior

C. Anxiety Disorders Classified by DSM - IV

1. General Anxiety Disordera. Anxiety

1.) Generalized apprehension

2.) Vague feeling of danger3.) Could turn into panic attacks

a. Choking sensationsb. Chest painc. Dizzinessd. Tremblinge. Hot flashes

4.) Fear is a reaction to identifiable real threats

a. Anxiety is a reaction to vague

or imagined danger

Anxiety Disorders Classified by DSM – IV (Cont.)b. Unable to enjoy lifec. Preoccupied with their anxietyd. Neglect social relationshipse. Difficulty dealing with family

and friendsf. Unable to fulfill responsibilitiesg. Inability to relaxh. Strained facei. Poor appetitej. Indigestionk. Diarrheal. Frequent urinationm. Difficulty sleepingn. Some psychologists feel that

is hereditary, triggered by an environmental event or trauma

2. Phobic Disordera. When a severe anxiety is focused on a particular object, animal,

activity or situation that seems out or proportion to the real danger involved

b. Specific Phobias1. can focus on almost anything2. acrophobia – high places3. claustrophobia – enclosed places4. arachibutyrophobia – fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth

C. Social Phobias1. Fear they will embarrass

themselves in a public place or social settinga. Eating in publicb. Using public restroomsc. Meeting strangersd. Going on a first date

2. Agoraphobiaa. Fear of being in public placesb. Often will not leave their houses

d. Treatment

1.) experiencing the feared object under controlled and safe circumstances

Exposure Therapy

3. Panic Disordera. Feeling of sudden, helpless terror,

such as overwhelming fright one might experience when cornered by a predator

b. Sudden unexpected attacks of intense anxiety

c. Sense of inevitable doom or deathd. Smotheringe. Chokingf. Dizzinessg. Faintingh. Nauseai. Chest painj. Usually lasts a few minutesk. May last an hour or morel. May have the first shortly after a

stressful eventm. May be result of interpreting

physiological arousal1.) Increased heart rate

4. Obsessive Compulsive Disordera. Obsession

1.) uncontrolled pattern of thoughtsb. Compulsions

1.) Repeatedly performing coping behaviorsc. May feel compelled to wash hands 20 to 30 times a dayd. Avoid cracks in sidewalke. May be unable to rid themselves of thoughts of deathf. May make obscene remarks in publicg. All people have obsessions and compulsionsh. Problem only when such thoughts and activities interfere with the person’s

wants or needsi. Runs in families

5. Post Traumatic Stress Disordera. Condition in which a person

who has experienced a traumatic event feels severe and long lasting after effects

b. Military veteransc. Survivors of terrorismd. Survivors of natural disastere. Rape or assault victimsf. Event overwhelms the

person’s sense of reality and ability to cope

g. Involuntary flashbacksh. Recurring nightmaresi. Insomniaj. Guiltk. Can last decades