Question 1

Cheryl spends four hours every day in the shower, scrubbing her skin raw with a loofa brush, fearing that she is contaminated with urine or feces.She sees a cognitive-behavioral therapist for treatment.The cognitive-behavioral therapist is most likely to write which of the following notes about Cheryl's case?

Accepted Answer

The therapist is likely to write that Cheryl consciously uses distracting thoughts to reduce anxiety over cleanliness. This is because cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. The therapist may work with Cheryl to challenge her beliefs about contamination and teach her coping strategies for managing her anxiety. The other options do not accurately reflect the approach or focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Question 2

For days after visiting Disneyland, the words and tune for "It's a Small World" kept invading Jessica's thoughts.She could not get them out of her head.Jessica's experience would be similar to the ____.

Accepted Answer

Jessica is experiencing an intrusive thought or obsession, which is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Question 3

A psychologist who supports a cognitive-behavioral approach would be likely to say which of the following when explaining the cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the role of thoughts and behaviors in the development and maintenance of disorders. In the case of OCD, it emphasizes how repetitive thoughts and actions are used to reduce anxiety.

Question 4

Ahmad has a specific phobia about elevators.His therapist teaches him how to relax and then has him relax when he is in a building with elevators.Then he practices being relaxed when pushing an elevator button and finally when taking an elevator ride.What kind of therapy did Ahmad experience?

Accepted Answer

Ahmad experienced systematic desensitization, which is a form of behavior therapy used to treat phobias. It involves a gradual exposure to the feared situation while being in a state of relaxation.

Question 5

V.J.suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder.According to the biological perspective, he is likely to show ____.

Accepted Answer

The biological perspective on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggests abnormalities in brain function, particularly in the frontal lobes. Increased metabolic activity in the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere is consistent with findings in individuals with OCD, indicating a biological basis for the disorder.

Question 6

Drugs that most successfully treat obsessive-compulsive disorder raise the level of which neurotransmitter in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Drugs that successfully treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), increase the level of serotonin in the brain.

Question 7

As Sheldon learns about obsessive-compulsive disorder he is likely to learn that ____.

Accepted Answer

While OCD is not as common as some other mental health disorders, it is still estimated to affect around 1-2% of the population. However, OCD is often under-diagnosed and untreated due to stigma and lack of understanding. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice as Sheldon is likely to learn that OCD may be an under-diagnosed disorder.

Question 8

Angel is worried that her intrusive, unacceptable thoughts are signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Research would tell her that ____.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that intrusive thoughts are common and not necessarily indicative of OCD, unless they cause significant distress or are uncontrollable. OCD is defined by both intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Question 9

Dr.Duran is a cognitive-behavioral therapist.When treating patients with anxiety disorders, he is most likely to focus on ____.

Accepted Answer

As a cognitive-behavioral therapist, Dr. Duran is most likely to focus on how patients' thoughts influence their experiences of anxiety. This approach emphasizes the cognitive components of anxiety disorders and teaches patients to identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs in order to reduce their symptoms.

Question 10

Which of the following is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often attempt to suppress or ignore their intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors, recognizing them as irrational or excessive.

Question 11

Cognitive-behaviorists would say that obsessive-compulsives repeat behaviors in order to ____.

Accepted Answer

According to cognitive-behaviorists, obsessive-compulsives repeat behaviors as a way to reduce anxiety. These repetitive behaviors, such as counting or checking, are believed to be done in order to alleviate feelings of fear or uncertainty.

Question 12

Barbara was told by her psychiatrist that she is being treated with the "medication of choice" for her generalized anxiety disorder.She is not sure what drug she is taking, but she knows it works.It is a good bet that the drug is ____.

Accepted Answer

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are commonly considered the first-line treatment for generalized anxiety disorder due to their efficacy and safety profile.

Question 13

Melissa's therapist encourages her to interpret her emotional and physical tension as "normal anxiety" and to redirect her attention from herself to others in social situations.The therapist is using which behavioral treatment?

Accepted Answer

The therapist is using cognitive restructuring by encouraging Melissa to interpret her anxiety as "normal anxiety" and to redirect her attention from herself to others in social situations.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is a cognitive characteristic of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder often experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts or obsessions that cause anxiety. These individuals may engage in compulsive behaviors or mental rituals in an attempt to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessions. One common cognitive characteristic of OCD is the need for certainty or reassurance, which is reflected in statement A. Statement B reflects a disregard for moral or ethical standards, which is not a characteristic of OCD. Statement C reflects a coping strategy, which may or may not be used by individuals with OCD. Statement D is not true for individuals with OCD, who often experience irrational or intrusive thoughts.

Question 15

Jack has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.He has persistent thoughts that are upsetting and engages in ritualistic actions to reduce anxiety.He feels that he has control over his thoughts and actions but chooses not to stop them.What aspect of Jack's case is unusual?

Accepted Answer

The unusual aspect of Jack's case is that it is uncommon for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder to feel that they have control over their thoughts and actions. Most people with OCD feel that their thoughts and actions are beyond their control and are distressed by them.

Question 16

Wanda is obsessed with the thought of strangling her daughter.Even though she has never done this, she believes her thoughts are as bad as if she actually carried out the act (which she says she does not want to do).This demonstrates which cognitive characteristic of OCD?

Accepted Answer

This demonstrates morality bias, which is the belief that having intrusive, unwanted thoughts or impulses, such as harmful or immoral ones, is equivalent to acting on them.

Question 17

GAD is most likely to occur among which group?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found that individuals from lower socioeconomic statuses and minority groups (such as African American females) are at a higher risk for developing GAD compared to those from higher socioeconomic statuses and dominant racial groups.

Question 18

Sue screams for her husband every time she sees a spider or a spider web.Even if the spider is dead, she starts to shake and becomes terrified.Several times she has called her husband at work and demanded that he come home to deal with the spider.Finally she sees a therapist.Over several sessions, she views videos of people picking up spiders, then watches her therapist pick up a plastic spider in the office, then a real spider.Finally, Sue is able to pick up a spider herself and put it outside.The therapy described is ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sue screams for her husband every time...

Question 19

Sam has persistent and distressing thoughts of germs; he cannot eat without washing his hands three times before and three times after every meal.Although his hands are raw from the washings, he is overwhelmed with anxiety if he doesn't wash this way.Sam's problems illustrate ____.

Accepted Answer

Sam's behavior is characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as he is experiencing obsessive thoughts (germs) and engaging in ritualistic, compulsive behavior (hand washing) to alleviate anxiety. The other options are not as applicable to the situation described.

Question 20

Before Hannah can leave the house she must turn all four gas burners on her stove on and off 24 times, each in sequence.She performs this ritual because she does not trust her memory and fears she can't be sure the burners are actually off unless she does this.Hannah is demonstrating which cognitive characteristic of OCD?

Accepted Answer

Hannah is demonstrating disconfirmatory bias, which involves the need to repeatedly check or perform rituals to alleviate doubt and ensure that something is done correctly, as she does not trust her memory regarding the stove burners.

Quiz 5: Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders