Question 1

Anxiety disorders may be best explained by the __________ model.

Accepted Answer

The stress-vulnerability model suggests that anxiety disorders result from the interaction between an individual's predisposition (vulnerability) to anxiety and stressors in their environment. This model is widely accepted in explaining the development of anxiety disorders, incorporating both biological and environmental factors.

Question 2

Constance is extremely afraid of speaking or even eating in public. She is fearful that people are evaluating her, laughing at her, or thinking terrible things about her. Consequently, she avoids being in public situations or endures them with intense anxiety or distress when the situation can't be avoided. Constance appears to be suffering from a(n)

Accepted Answer

Constance's symptoms align with social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might be judged or scrutinized by others.

Question 3

Sue is housebound. She feels faint if she thinks of leaving the house, and she must use elaborate alibis to avoid getting into her car, getting on the freeway, or even going to the market. She is suffering from

Accepted Answer

Sue's symptoms align with agoraphobia, which is characterized by an intense fear or anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or in which help may not be available in the event of having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms. Her fear of leaving the house and needing to create elaborate alibis to avoid situations that could trigger her anxiety are indicative of this condition.

Question 4

In which disorder do the victims have occasional, unexpected anxiety attacks in which they believe that they are having a heart attack, are going insane, or are about to die?

Accepted Answer

Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, unexpected episodes of intense fear or discomfort, often with physical symptoms that mimic those of a heart attack. These episodes are known as panic attacks.

Question 5

Of the common specific phobias listed, which is the most common among Americans?

Accepted Answer

Fear of insects, birds, snakes, and other animals is the most common specific phobia among Americans. This category, often referred to as zoophobia, encompasses a wide range of animal-related fears, which are more prevalent compared to other specific phobias.

Question 6

Arachnophobia is a fear of

Accepted Answer

Arachnophobia is the intense fear of spiders.

Question 7

Intense, irrational fears of particular objects or activities that a person cannot shake off, even when there is no real danger, are called

Accepted Answer

Specific phobias are intense, irrational fears of particular objects or situations that significantly impair one's ability to function normally, despite the understanding that the fear is irrational.

Question 8

Annabelle is in the grocery store when she notices her heart is racing, and she becomes very dizzy. She is shaking so that she is barely able to stand up, and she cannot seem to get enough air and begins to hyperventilate. Annabelle thinks that maybe she is having a heart attack or going insane. She was fine a few minutes ago. Annabelle is exhibiting symptoms of a

Accepted Answer

Annabelle's symptoms, including a racing heart, dizziness, shaking, and hyperventilation, are characteristic of a panic attack, which is a key feature of panic disorder. Panic disorder involves sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes or longer. These are not symptoms of factitious disorder, conversion disorder, or dissociative fugue.

Question 9

A fear of strangers is called

Accepted Answer

Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners.

Question 10

Although considered separate disorders, panic attacks sometimes occur in individuals who also suffer from the anxiety disorder called

Accepted Answer

Panic attacks can occur in individuals with various anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia, which is the fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment.

Question 11

Greta fears that something extremely embarrassing will happen if she leaves home or enters an unfamiliar situation. Thus, it is virtually impossible for her to go outside her home alone to the mall or be in a crowd, or even ride in a car. Greta most likely has which disorder?

Accepted Answer

Greta's symptoms align with agoraphobia, which is characterized by an intense fear or anxiety triggered by situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms. This includes fear of leaving home, being in crowded places, or traveling alone.

Question 12

A person's fear, anxiety, and avoidance are focused on particular objects, activities, or situations in a

Accepted Answer

Specific phobia is characterized by significant fear, anxiety, and avoidance of specific objects, activities, or situations.

Question 13

Allison is afraid of having a panic attack in a public place; therefore, she has refused to leave her home for the last 3 years unless a family member accompanies her. Allison has which disorder in addition to her panic attacks?

Accepted Answer

Allison's fear of having a panic attack in a public place and her subsequent avoidance of leaving home unless accompanied by a family member are classic symptoms of agoraphobia. This disorder involves intense fear or anxiety triggered by real or anticipated exposure to situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of a panic attack or panic-like symptoms.

Question 14

Most people have mild phobias, but they are not considered a specific phobic disorder unless the

Accepted Answer

A specific phobic disorder is considered when the fear significantly disrupts the person's daily life, not merely due to its existence, but because of the impact it has on routine activities and well-being.

Question 15

Dan has a history of experiencing panic attacks when in public places, such as the mall. Which of the following would suggest that Dan is developing agoraphobia in addition to panic disorder?

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is characterized by an intense fear or anxiety triggered by real or anticipated exposure to situations where escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms. Hiring an assistant to do grocery shopping for him suggests that Dan is avoiding public places due to fear of having panic attacks, which aligns with symptoms of agoraphobia.

Question 16

People with a specific phobic disorder

Accepted Answer

People with specific phobic disorders are typically aware that their fears are excessive or unreasonable, which is a key characteristic of these disorders. This awareness, however, does not alleviate the anxiety or distress associated with the phobia.

Question 17

Which is the best example of agoraphobia?

Accepted Answer

Agoraphobia is characterized by a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help wouldn't be available if things go wrong. Becky's behavior of rarely leaving her home except for familiar places, and usually only with a companion, is a classic example of agoraphobia.

Question 18

Fear of using a public rest room or eating in public would both be considered symptoms of a(n)

Accepted Answer

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, involves intense fear or anxiety in social situations where the person feels they may be judged, embarrassed, or scrutinized by others. Fear of using a public restroom or eating in public are common examples of situations that might provoke anxiety in someone with social phobia.

Question 19

Jarmin is a sports announcer who has an overwhelming fear of flying. He will spend hours or days driving from coast to coast for a job and has even turned down jobs because he could not get to that job on time by taking the train or traveling by car. The few times he tried to get on a plane, he became dizzy and sick to his stomach. Jarmin would be diagnosed with

Accepted Answer

Jarmin's overwhelming fear of flying, to the extent that it significantly impacts his job and personal life, is indicative of a specific phobia. A specific phobia is an intense, irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that leads to avoidance behavior. In Jarmin's case, the object of fear is flying.

Question 20

Acrophobia refers to fear of

Accepted Answer

Acrophobia is the fear of heights, which can cause significant anxiety and discomfort for individuals when they are in high places or even when thinking about being in such situations.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders