Learning Targets:

Identify the symptoms and potential causes of various anxiety disorders.
Explain the symptoms and possible origins of different obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.
Outline the symptoms and potential causes of various trauma and stressor-related disorders.

Courtesy of the AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2024. (n.d.).

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are conditions where individuals experience intense feelings of fear, dread, and discomfort that can lead to avoidance behaviors. Panic disorder involves sudden and intense episodes of terror, while phobias are marked by irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as acrophobia (heights) or arachnophobia (spiders). Specific phobia involves fear or anxiety toward a specific object or situation. Agoraphobia is an intense fear of specific social situations, including using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in enclosed spaces (e.g., shops, theaters, etc.), standing in line or being in a crowd, or being outside of the home alone. These disorders can interfere with daily life activities, like school or work, and typically last for at least six months. Individuals with anxiety disorders may exhibit maladaptive behaviors to avoid situations that trigger their anxiety, leading to disruptions in their normal routines and behaviors.

Complete the activity below on anxiety disorders.

Learn more about anxiety disorders in the video below.

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders include unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsession) and/or actions (compulsions).

Obsessive-compulsive disorders and related disorders are mental health conditions marked by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that continuously occupy a person's mind, causing distress. On the other hand, compulsions refer to repetitive behaviors that individuals perform in an attempt to alleviate the anxiety caused by their obsessions. These behaviors can range from excessive handwashing to repeatedly checking if doors are locked.

The possible causes of obsessive-compulsive disorders may stem from various factors. These include learned associations between certain stimuli and the accompanying obsessive thoughts, maladaptive thinking patterns, or emotional responses. Additionally, biological and genetic factors can also play a role in the development of these disorders. It is essential for individuals experiencing such symptoms to seek help from mental health professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Learn more about Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in the activity below.

Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

Trauma and stressor-related disorders are psychiatric conditions that manifest after experiencing a distressing or traumatic event, leading to significant psychological anguish. Individuals suffering from these disorders may exhibit symptoms such as heightened alertness (hypervigilance), intense feelings of unease (severe anxiety), recurring vivid memories of the event (flashbacks), difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia), feeling emotionally numb or disconnected (emotional detachment), and displaying persistent anger or irritability (hostility).

The potential causes of trauma and stressor-related disorders lie in the exposure to traumatic incidents or chronic stressors. These disorders can develop after a person undergoes a distressing event like physical or emotional abuse, witnessing violence, natural disasters, accidents, or other life-threatening situations. The impact of these experiences can lead to lasting psychological effects, affecting the individual's mental well-being.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event. Some of the common symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories of the event, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the traumatic experience, difficulty sleeping, and feeling on edge. Those suffering from PTSD may also experience changes in their behavior, such as irritability, aggression, or engaging in self-destructive behaviors.

The possible causes of PTSD can vary, but they often involve experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, serious accident, physical or sexual assault, or military combat. It is important to note that children can also develop PTSD after experiencing trauma. The DSM-5 classifies PTSD under Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders, which also includes other related conditions like acute stress disorder, adjustment disorders, and reactive attachment disorder. Understanding the symptoms and causes of PTSD is crucial in order to provide appropriate support and treatment to those affected by this condition.

Understanding Psychological Disorders from Different Perspectives

Psychological disorders, such as anxiety and phobias, can be viewed from different perspectives. The learning perspective sees these disorders as a result of fear conditioning, where individuals learn to associate certain stimuli with fear. Additionally, stimulus generalization occurs when the fear response is generalized to other similar stimuli. Fearful behaviors can be reinforced through rewards or avoidance of negative consequences. Observational learning, or learning from others' fears and cognitions, also plays a role in the development of these disorders.

On the other hand, the biological perspective focuses on genetic predispositions that may lead to high levels of emotional reactivity and neurotransmitter imbalances. Abnormal responses in the brain's fear circuits can contribute to the manifestation of these disorders. The role of fears related to life-threatening situations in natural selection is also considered from an evolutionary standpoint. Similarly, when examining depressive and bipolar disorders, the biological perspective emphasizes genetic factors, brain structure and function abnormalities, and the impact of nutrition on mental health. The social-cognitive perspective, on the other hand, regards depression as a continuous cycle of stress-inducing experiences that are interpreted through negative beliefs, attributions, and memories. This cycle of negative thinking can lead to recurrent brooding, perpetuating negative moods, thoughts, and behaviors, thus creating a vicious cycle of stress and depression.

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