PSYCH-2245 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attack, Locus Coeruleus
Psych 2245
Chapter Five: Anxiety Disorders
1. Describe the psychological and biological similarities and differences among anxiety, fear,
and a panic attack.
Anxiety
oA state in which the individual can experience physical symptoms such as
tension, increase in heartrate, etc. as a result of apprehension for future events.
oCan include uneasiness, characteristic motor behaviors such as twitching or
fidgeting, or physical responses such as those mentioned above.
oAnxiety increases performance in many aspects of life (tests, dates, interviews)
oNegative affect, symptoms of somatic branch tension, feeling towards future
events, feelings arise from the unpredictability and uncontrollability of events in
the future
Fear
oAutomatic response to environmental triggers of danger
oPromotes fight or flight tendencies and activates the autonomic nervous system
oNegative affect, sympathetic nervous system action, immediate reaction to
stimuli, response triggered by an immediate threat
Panic Attack
oImmediate feeling of fear or dread that causes a host of physical symptoms
including increased heartbeat, breathing problems, chest pain, or dizziness
oExpected and unexpected
Expected
When you have a panic attack somewhere you know will trigger it
Common in social phobias or specific phobias
Unexpected
When you don’t know the time or place of your next attack
Common in panic disorder
oMost commonly characterized by uncontrollable fear at unusual times
2. Identify the genetic and biological vulnerability factors that are known to influence the
development of anxiety disorders.
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Large evidence for inheritance of anxiousness
Caused by multiple genes
Environmental stressors commonly trigger anxiety
The Brain
oDecreased GABA levels increase anxiety
oNoradrenaline and serotonin levels have been linked to anxiety levels
oCRF (corticoptopin-releasing factor): activates the hypothalamic-pituitary
adrenocortical axis (HPA) which influences the amygdala, hippocampus, locus
coeruleus, prefrontal cortex, the area that influences release of dopamine,
serotonin, and noradrenaline, and affects the release of GABA
oLimbic system
Area between brainstem and cortex
BIS (behavioral inhibition system): activated by changes in body function
that show danger in the environment; when the BIS is activated, we
experience symptoms associated with anxiety
FFS (Fight/Flight system): begins in brain stem and goes through the
midbrain
Activated by low serotonin levels
Produces panic response
oAssociated with overactive limbic system elements such as the amygdala
and deficient cortex activity
3. Describe the essential factors of generalized anxiety disorder, its proposed causal factors, and
available treatment approaches.
Essential Factors
oMust experience at least 6 months of associated symptoms to be diagnosed
oAssociated with inability to stop worrying (constant apprehension)
oPhysical symptoms: tense muscles, agitation, fatigue, irritability, inability to sleep
oMost worry is centered on everyday occurrences
oKids with generalized anxiety disorder focus on underperformance in academics,
sports, and familial and social situations
Causes
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oCauses are associated with inheritance of tenseness and early childhood
occurrences that they learn are unavoidable, so they are constantly apprehensive
of the next imposing threat
oCalled autonomic restrictors
Increased activity in the left hemisphere of the frontal lobe
Suggests intense focus on worrisome thoughts
Intense thought on impending threats that take up so much thought in that
sector of the brain that they are unable to focus on the direct image of the
threat
Allows them to avoid much of the negative experiences with the
images, but they are unable to arrive at a solution for their anxiety
oChronically tense
oStrong focus on personal threats that may have arisen from early experiences
Roots in the unconscious or automatic response
Treatment
oBenzodiazepines
Mildly reduce anxiety; short term
Risks: metal and motor impairment, addiction
Used for no more than one or two weeks
Paroxetine and venlafaxine are better options
oPsychological Treatments
Long term
Induce anxiousness, so patients can experience feeling and
processing emotion from visual stimuli
Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment
oPatients learn to resolve their anxiety through experiencing
stimuli head-on
New treatment is being developed that focuses on acceptance
instead of avoiding stressful thoughts
4. Describe the essential features of panic disorder.
Essential Features
oAnxiety and panic combined
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