PBL 2 Flashcards
what are some physical symptoms of anxiety?
muscle tension (causes headaches, pain and fatigue)
what are some common psychological anxiety symptoms?
poor concentration/memory fear/panic/worry/on-edge/irritable thoughts about future danger fear of dying or losing control worrying about worrying
what are other symptoms of anxiety?
pacing room wringing of hands sighing coping mechanisms e.g. smoking avoiding fear-provoking situations safety behaviours asking for reassurance
which area in the brain handles most of the emotional processing?
the limbic system (hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala) whilst the prefrontal cortex is for the integration for decision making`
what are the functions of normal levels of anxiety?
Helps to plan and prepare for threat
‘fight or flight’, to preserve genes and survive
Moderate levels enhance learning and performance
when does normal anxiety become abnormal anxiety?
Anxiety becomes a problem when it interferes with someone’s life/functioning
what are panic attacks?
discrete episodes of intense anxiety, with abrupt onset of symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness or faintness, fear of losing control or going crazy, fear of dying.
how could anxiety be affected by serotonin?
Low serotonin levels can occur genetically/naturally, and can also be created by your emotions. This is linked to anxiety and depression. this is why SSRIs work to reduce anxiety
how could anxiety be affected by noradrenaline?
Noradrenaline is responsible for many of the symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heartbeat and sweating.
In some cases the hormone can start becoming overactive, often as a result of regular stress
how could anxiety be affected by dopamine?
There is evidence that improving dopamine levels will reduce social anxiety, and possibly other anxiety disorders.
how could anxiety be affected by GABA?
GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain has shown a strong association with the development of mood disorders, indicating that GABA appears to have an effect on emotions.
low causes anxiety
how could anxiety be affected by thyroid hormone?
Hyperthyroid, which is an overproduction of thyroid hormone, has been linked to the development of severe anxiety and panic attacks.
how do we acquire anxiety responses and how do we maintain them?
acquired through classical conditioning as the stimulus is associated with negativity
maintained by operant conditioning where behavioural is alternated due to reward or punishment
what is classical conditioning?
A learning process where a previously neutral stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus by repeated pairing.
what is operant conditioning?
The alteration of behaviour by reward or punishment, certain responses are learned because they affect the environment
