PSYC 235 Lecture : Chapter 5 - Anxiety Disorders
29 Dec 2011
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Document Summary
Module 3 chapter 5 - anxiety disorders. What is anxiety? y emotional: negative affect y physiological: somatic/physical symptoms of tension y cognitive: future-oriented (anticipation of danger) What is fear? y present-oriented mood state, marked negative affect y immediate fight or flight response to danger or threat (ffs) y strong alarm & escape behaviour y involves abrupt activation of the sympathetic nervous system. What is anxiety? y future-orientated mood state characterized by marked negative affect y somatic symptoms of tension y apprehension about future danger or misfortune y behavioural inhibition system (bis) Anxiety & fear are normal and adaptive emotional states! High anxiety = better/higher/optimized performance y performance is optimized by moderate levels of anxiety/arousal y high anxiety leads to: decreased capacity for skilled motor movements, decreased complex. Characteristics of anxiety disorders y anxiety is maladaptive: out of proportion to harm, interferes with functioning y pervasive, persistent anxiety/fear y excessive avoidance/escape tendencies y significant distress/impairment caused by symptoms & avoidance.
