Anxiety

• What are the key components of anxiety disorders covered in HS2007?

  • Aetiological factors determining different anxiety disorders
  • Gross anatomy and physiology behind acute anxiety and chronic worry
  • Mechanisms of fear conditioning and extinction
• What diagnostic criteria approaches are mentioned in the study material?

  Standard diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-V) and Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)
• What does the Stress-Vulnerability Model suggest about anxiety disorders?

  It suggests that genetic variants and stress can increase vulnerability to anxiety disorders
• What are some acute stress factors mentioned in the study material?

  Bereavement and trauma
• How does early-life stress affect anxiety disorders according to the study material?

  It leads to epigenetic changes in genes involved in cortisol regulation
• What is the relationship between psychodynamic theory and anxiety disorders?

  It involves unresolved ID-Ego conflict affecting anxiety levels
• What does cognitive-behavioral theory suggest about anxiety disorders?

  It suggests an over-estimation of danger and a relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior
• What is a key characteristic of panic disorder?

  Hypersensitivity to biological/autonomic cues
• How can panic attacks lead to agoraphobia?

  The emotional impact of a panic attack in public can cause avoidance of such situations
• What role do stimulants and cannabis play in panic disorder?

  They can exacerbate symptoms or lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy
• What are some factors contributing to social anxiety disorder?

  Heightened social embarrassment and low self-esteem
• What is the aetiology of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

  It involves a combination of genetic factors and cumulative stress
• How does chronic worry relate to the amygdala and prefrontal cortex?

  Increased amygdala activity and reduced connectivity with the prefrontal cortex are observed
• What is the role of the HPA axis in anxiety disorders?

  It can be dysfunctional due to methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor
• What is the immediate reaction to a perceived threat according to the acute fear response?

  Activation of the HPA axis and release of cortisol
• What physiological changes occur during an acute fear response?

  Increased heart rate and blood pressure, and faster breathing
• How does the amygdala contribute to fear conditioning?

  It is involved in short-term memory formation and learning related to fear
• What is the function of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in anxiety disorders?

  It is active during emotional stimuli and associated with concentration and error identification
• What does the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST) predict?

  Safe and non-safe situations
• How does chronic worry relate to the BNST function?

  It can lead to avoidance and negative emotionality
• What is fear reconsolidation?

  It is the process where an anxious reaction to a perceived threat can easily return
• What is the role of virtual reality in treating PTSD and phobias?

  It serves as a desensitizing therapy tool
• What is the relationship between ACC activity and fear conditioning?

  ACC activity is strongly linked to both fear conditioning and extinction
• How does VPFC activity change during conscious emotional regulation?

  VPFC activity increases while amygdala activity decreases
• What is the significance of prediction error in therapy for anxiety disorders?

  It may be a better psychological marker for long-term progress than therapy session progress
• What is the recommended reading for understanding the RDoC approach?

  A straightforward 5-10 minute read about the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Approach
• Why is low heart rate variability (HRV) significant in mental health?

  It may be a good long-term predictor of cardiovascular disease