PSY440H5 Chapter Notes -Panic Attack, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder
1 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Anxiety, fear, and panic: anxiety - mood state characterized by tension, apprehension of future danger or misfortune. In humans, anxiety may be expressed as subjective unease, worried behaviors, and/or physiological responses. Normal emotion that is adaptive when experienced in moderate amounts. Becomes problematic (psychologically speaking) when excessive and interferences with functioning. Fear - immediate alarm reaction to dangerous or life threatening situations (fight or flight response; emergency or defensive reaction). A present-oriented mood state characterized by strong avoidance and activation of sns. Normal emotional response that is adaptive when experienced in response to real danger or threat. Becomes problematic (psychologically speaking) when it excessive, in the absence of real threat or danger, and interferes with important areas of life functioning. Textbook case of gretchen illustrates excessive fear in the absence of real threat or danger. Panic attack - abrupt experience of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
