Abnormal Psychology Chapter 5

Key Features of Panic Attacks

-Pounding heart -Sweating, trembling, or shaking -Experience of choking or smothering sensations or shortness of breath -Fears of either losing control and dying or going crazy -Pain or discomfort in chest -Tingling or numbing sensations -Nausea -Dizziness -Feelings of being detached from oneself, as if observing oneself from a distance -Hot flashes or chills

Cognitive Factors of Phobias

1. Oversensitivity to threatening cues - helpful to ancestors by increasing chances of survival 2. Over-prediction of danger - Phobic individuals over predict how much far or anxiety they will experience in the fearful situation 3. Self defeating thoughts and irrational beliefs - these thoughts intensify autonomic arousal and magnify the aversive stimuli

Prevalence of OCD

2 to 3%

Prevalence of Phobias

9% lifetime prevalance, 2:1 women to men

Definition of Anxiety

A generalized state of apprehension or foreboding

Treatment for Panic Disorders

Antidepressant drugs like clomipramine, setraline, or alprazolam. Clients learn to think calming thoughts and use breathing retraining in order to keep client from hyperventilating

Etiology of Panic Disorders

Biology - genetic variation in fear response: hypersensitivity to carbon levels, over-sensitive alarm reactions involving the limbic system and frontal lobes. Psychology - Anxiety sensitivity - fear of one's emotions getting out of control

Etiology of OCD

Biology: possible memory retrieval problems, frontal lobe and the basal ganglia may be linked to presence of repetitive thoughts, images, and ideas Psychology: lots of fear in response to obsessions; fear is lowered when compulsions are performed. Person is not psychotic, has biased judgement about the possibility of bad things happening Social: impedes normal functions, can't function normally with family, coworkers, etc.

What is a Panic Disorder?

Characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks. 5.1% prevalence, more common among women.

Treatment for OCD

Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP): Client repeatedly exposed to anxiety producing stimuli, but refrains from doing compulsive response. Drugs: Use of SSRIs, such as fluoxetine. Increase uptake of serotonin

What's Agorophobia?

Fear of going outside. Panic disorders can lead to agoraphobia, but it is much more common to have a panic disorder without agorophobia

Etiology of Phobias

Mowrer's Two-Factor Model: The fear component of phobias is believed to be acquired through classical conditioning. The avoidance behavior is acquired and maintained by operant conditioning, specifically negative reinforcement (relief from anxiety negatively reinforces the avoidance of fearful stimuli). Observational Learning: May acquire phobia by watching others around you having fearful reactions Biological: May have overactive amygdala, inducing a fear response. The prefrontal cortex give the "All Clear" signal, this discovery could lead to new treatment.

Overview of Anxiety Disorders: Physical, Behavioral, and Cognitive Features

Physical Features: Jumpiness, jitteriness, heavy perspirations, sweaty palms. Behavioral Features: Avoidance behavior, cloning or dependent behavior, and agitated behavior. Cognitive Features: Worry, a nagging sense of dread, preoccupation with or keen awareness of bodily sensations, fear of losing control

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

Preoccupation with an imagined or exaggerated physical defect in there appearance, such as skin blemishes, wrinkling or swelling of face, body moles, etc. High rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Types of Specific Phobias

Situational Type: tunnels, bridges, flying Natural Environment Type: Storms, heights, water Blood - Injection - Injury Type: seeing blood, needles Animal Type: snakes, spiders, dogs