True or False
Having anxiety is the same as being nervous about things.
False, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) creates severe and ongoing stress/tension that negatively impacts quality of life.
Does someone with anxiety display typical brain functioning in their emotional response systems?
No, people with anxiety typically display heightened activity in emotional and fear centers of the brain.
Who is typically involved in deciding what medication someone with anxiety should take?
Patient, parents/caregivers, physician, psychiatrist.
What is it called when you experience an intense fear of something?
Phobia
At what age can someone begin experiencing anxiety symptoms?
Anxiety can be linked to genetics
True, there are studies that indicate that genetic factors can contribute to being diagnosed with anxiety when paired with environmental factors.
What part of the brain is responsible for decision making and understanding consequences of behaviors?
Prefrontal Cortex
What are some lifestyle changes that can be made to help reduce anxiety symptoms?
Exercise, eating nutritious foods, meditation, getting good sleep, reducing stress level.
What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
Sweating, racing heart, fear of dying, dizziness, light-headedness, numbness, feeling disconnected, nausea, stomach pain, chills, hot flashes, shaking, shortness of breath.
What other disorder is commonly seen with anxiety?
Depression
Nearly 1/2 of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety
True, people who are diagnosed with depression are likely to be diagnosed with anxiety as well and visa-versa.
The amygdala is responsible for fear responses in the brain, what are those 4 responses?
Fight, flight, freeze, Fawn
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This diagnosis is seen when someone has intense and distressing thoughts/feelings/fears related to a traumatic event.
PTSD
What can cause memory issues in people with anxiety?
Being worried about the future prevents you from being present and focused in the current moment, leading to a less reliable memory of the past.
Men are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than women
False, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed than men.
The emotional processing parts of the brain are part of which system?
Limbic system
What type of treatment involves slowly increasing the amount of time spent with or around a triggering place/item/situation to increase tolerance?
Exposure therapy
This diagnosis is given when someone has distressing intrusive thoughts that are temporarily relieved by performing some type of behavior.
Why do your hands and feet get cold when in a state of fight/flight?
When your brain signals the urgency for survival in your body, your blood will circulate closer to your heart and major organs, leading to lower circulation in the extremities.
Anxiety can be linked to other medical diagnoses
True, medical conditions like thyroid disorders, heart arrhythmias, and hypoglycemia can cause or worsen anxiety symptoms.
When people have an anxiety there is a lack of balance between which two brain systems?
Emotional and higher cognitive functioning
How does CBT work?
Unhelpful thoughts and behaviours can make you more anxious. They can stop you from getting better when you’re experiencing anxiety. A therapist will work with you to identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns, and help you replace unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with new ones that reduce your anxiety.
What is the difference between agoraphobia and social phobia (AKA social anxiety)?
Agoraphobia: The fear of being unable to escape a place/situation when experiencing panic symptoms without support. Untreated agoraphobia can result in people refusing to leave the house and severely limiting their daily functioning.
Social phobia: Significant anxiety and discomfort about being embarrassed or looked down on in social or performance situations. Common examples are public speaking, meeting people, or using public restrooms.
What hormone is released when experiencing stress?
Cortisol