Basics
What is the emotion we feel when we think something bad might happen?
anxiety
Name one common physical symptom of anxiety.
increased heart rate / sweating / shaking / stomachaches / shortness of breath
What is one quick breathing method used to reduce anxiety?
box breathing / belly breathing
What brain structure is responsible for emotional processing and fear responses?
amygdala
A student gets nervous before presenting but still does the presentation. Is this normal?
yes
Anxiety becomes a disorder when it starts interfering with what two areas of life?
daily functioning and overall wellbeing
Difficulty concentrating and racing thoughts fall under what type of anxiety symptoms?
cognitive symptoms
Taking a short walk can decrease anxiety symptoms.
True
The body’s “fight, flight, or freeze” response is triggered during what emotional state?
anxiety or fear
Someone feels anxious walking into a job interview. Is this typical or disordered?
typical
What is the name of the system that classifies anxiety disorders in mental health diagnostics?
DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
Trouble sleeping due to worrying is known as what?
insomnia
Writing down anxious thoughts and reframing them is part of what coping approach?
journaling or cognitive reframing
What part of the brain helps regulate decision-making and overthinking during anxiety?
prefrontal cortex
Someone avoids raising their hand in class because they fear being judged. What type of anxiety might this be?
social anxiety
True or false: It is normal for everyone to experience anxiety sometimes.
true
What do we call overwhelming bursts of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes?
panic attacks
Practicing paying attention to the present moment is known as what?
mindfulness
What body system activates increased heart rate and rapid breathing during anxiety?
sympathetic nervous system
A person feels short of breath and dizzy in a crowded mall. What might they be experiencing?
panic attack
What term describes anxiety that is tied to a specific object or situation?
phobia
What term describes feeling disconnected from oneself or surroundings during extreme anxiety?
dissociation or depersonalization
The technique of slowly confronting feared situations to reduce anxiety is called what?
exposure therapy
Chronic anxiety can dysregulate which hormonal system in the body that controls stress?
HPA axis (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis)
A person must repeatedly check locks for hours each night because anxiety tells them something bad will happen. What disorder does this resemble?
OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)