Title: Anxiety Disorders
Course: Question bank check

Q: Jamel is a high achieving student who also participates in varsity sports. One of Jamel’s biggest sources of anxiety is the worry about not getting an A. Jamel feels that if he does not get straight As on all assignments that he will not get into college, be able to stay on the sports team, and be respected by his friends and family. Jamel constantly studies and manages to get straight A’s despite his guidance counselor's recommendation that he not put so much pressure on himself. As a result of Jamel’s constant worry, Jamal is often sleep-deprived and has difficulty concentrating while hanging out with friends and non-school events. Jamel’s pattern of worry and compulsive studying behavior is an example of what features of someone with GAD?
- feelings of restlessness that are made worse by lack of sleep (Incorrect. Jamel does feel restless, but his choice to constantly study is not a result of his restlessness.)
- difficulty concentrating and focusing (Incorrect. Jamel exerts energy to focus and concentrate due to his anxiety.)
- release of muscle tension (Incorrect. Jamel does not do homework constantly to relieve muscle tension; it is a result of his constant worry.)
- the act of worrying that gets reinforced (Correct! Jamel is constantly worried about not getting an A and addresses the worry by compulsively studying to avoid getting any grade except an A.)
A: the act of worrying that gets reinforced

Q: People with GAD often experience difficulty in their lives in terms of everyday routine life circumstances. For example, John recently started a new job and was diagnosed with GAD. John shows up on time and completes all the aspects of the job to a satisfactory level. However, John has challenges in his interpersonal relationships at work, especially with his boss. John argues with his coworkers over little things and is extremely impatient and frustrated with the mess they leave in the common areas. What symptom of GAD is John struggling with?
- He is having difficulty concentrating. (Incorrect. John is able to focus at work completing his tasks. Therefore, his anxiety is not negatively affecting his ability to perform at his job.)
- He is easily fatigued. (Incorrect. John does not experience a decrease in stamina to complete tasks due to his anxiety)
- He is having sleep problems. (Incorrect. Sleep problems have not affected John’s work performance as he is on time and able to complete all associated tasks with the job.)
- He is irritable. (Correct! John’s irritability is interfering with his ability to get along with his coworkers, especially his boss.)
A: He is irritable.

Q: Michelle is a young female professional who just graduated from college. She has a family history of anxiety and had a difficult childhood as a child of divorce. Michelle has been struggling with her feelings of anxiety for the past eight months. On her own for the first time, she is having trouble sleeping and is also easily fatigued. She worries about her job performance, financial stability, and meeting new people in a new city. When she does go out with colleagues she feels on-edge and irritable. What anxiety disorder is Michelle likely suffering from?
- specific phobia (Incorrect. Michelle does not have a phobia or safety behaviors to avoid a specific phobia.)
- PTSD (Incorrect. Michelle is not having flashbacks and her anxiety is spread across her whole life, not in response to one salient trigger or memory.)
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Michelle can still socialize with others; however, she does feel on edge, but it does not stop her from interacting socially with her peers.)
- generalized anxiety disorder (Correct! Michelle has a disruptive level of anxiety in her life that is generalized across her life.)
A: generalized anxiety disorder

Q: Mila is anxious about getting to know her new coworkers. When she sees them together at the coffee shop during her lunch break, she feels anxious. Which of the following scenarios would indicate that she likely has an anxiety disorder and not just a normal fear response?
- Mila reluctantly approaches them and says hello, but does not sit with them. (Incorrect. Mila is able to manage her anxiety to approach them so she does not avoid the social situation.)
- Mila runs to the bathroom to give herself a pep talk in the mirror before walking by and saying hello on her way back to the office. (Incorrect. Mila’s response indicates emotional distress but she does not need to avoid the situation nor is she in such extreme distress that she cannot greet her co-workers.)
- Mila timidly waves to them and then indicates that she is going out the door. (Incorrect. Mila’s anxiety prevents her from joining them in conversation, but does not entirely alienate her from social interaction.)
- Mila decides to avoid her coworkers altogether by quietly eating alone back at her desk in the office. (Correct! Mila’s behavior serves to reinforce her anxiety and she avoids visiting with her coworkers because her anxiety is so overwhelming)
A: Mila decides to avoid her coworkers altogether by quietly eating alone back at her desk in the office.

Q: June has a 16-year-old daughter, Mabel, who just got her driver’s license. June and Mabel have an open and communicative relationship where Mabel listens and respects her mother. On a Saturday night, Mabel told her mother that she would be home at 10 p.m., but is five minutes late. Which would be a sign of an abnormal fear response, indicating that June may be prone to an anxiety disorder?
- While watching a movie, June is pausing it every five minutes, starting at 9:30 pm, to see if she can hear the car pull in the driveway. (Incorrect. June is demonstrating anxiety and is paying close attention; however, she is not obsessively taking action and she is able to continue her movie watching.)
- While watching a movie, June pauses when her 10 p.m. alarm goes off on her phone. She checks her daughter’s location and then calls her at 10:02 p.m. to check-in. (Incorrect. June is demonstrating anxiety but respects her daughter’s boundaries.)
- While watching a movie, June texts her daughter to check in every hour until she comes home. (Incorrect. June has an appropriate fear response to her new driver in the house arriving late.)
- While trying to watch a movie, June has turned off the sound to be able to listen for the car in the driveway. She is also monitoring her daughter’s travel from her cellphone, and has nightmares of her daughter being injured in a head-on collision. (Correct! June cannot focus on the movie, is obsessive, and has catastrophic fantasies that are propelled by her anxiety.)
A: While trying to watch a movie, June has turned off the sound to be able to listen for the car in the driveway. She is also monitoring her daughter’s travel from her cellphone, and has nightmares of her daughter being injured in a head-on collision.

Q: Sarah is finishing school and is in the process of applying for jobs and has received some interest from potential employers, but also some rejections. Every time that Sarah gets a rejection letter from a company, she feels anxious she will never get another job. Sarah begins to feel a chronic fear of rejection and frets about whether she will get a job. She constantly talks about the job-hunting process, compulsively checks job websites, has difficulty sleeping, and wakes up in the night to revise her resume. In addition, Sarah also finds herself being irritable with her family and colleagues. How would you describe Sarah’s behavior?
- Sarah’s response is anxious, but within normal limits for someone going through the job search. (Incorrect. Sarah’s anxiety does not help her; rather it negatively affects her emotional, physical, and employment.)
- Sarah’s response is an example of how anxiety can be adaptive, and she is being proactive in her job search. (Incorrect. Sarah’s anxiety is not adaptive in this case. Her anxiety negatively affects her emotional, physical, and employment state.)
- Sarah’s anxiety is not the problem, but rather she needs to go see a sleep doctor in order to improve her sleep. (Incorrect. Sarah needs to address her anxiety with a therapist to help her first as sleep is not the primary issue.)
- Sarah exhibits signs of a person diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as her life is disrupted by her anxiety. (Correct! Sarah has difficulty regulating her worries and it affects her ability to make constructive decisions and interferes with her ability to navigate her life and prospective job search.)
A: Sarah exhibits signs of a person diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as her life is disrupted by her anxiety.

Q: After the end of her marriage, Vasna is struggling with trusting other people and predicting their behaviors, especially in romantic relationships. Vasna is always suspicious and inquisitive to a fault. As a result, she worries about being mistreated and she avoids social interactions, especially with men. Her friends are trying to help her start over in a new life, especially in the possibilities of dating. Which type of therapy would Vasna benefit from?
- motivational interviewing (Incorrect. Motivational interviewing involves asking questions to help the client understand their own desire to change. In this example, a therapist would focus on helping Vasna to better accept uncertainty.)
- acceptance and commitment therapy (Incorrect. Acceptance and commitment therapy emphasizes mindfulness, acceptance, and goal setting to change attitudes and behavior.)
- behavioral therapy. (Incorrect. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a broad term that applies to several types of treatment methods that help a person change their thoughts and behavior (including those listed in this question), but behavioral therapy does not apply here.)
- intolerance of uncertainty therapy (Correct! Vasna would learn to tolerate feelings of uncertainties of other people and their behaviors and the fear of being hurt in new relationships and therefore would be able to increase her ability to interact with people around her.)
A: intolerance of uncertainty therapy

Q: Louisa is anxious about getting to know her new coworkers. When she sees them together at the coffee shop during her lunch break, she feels anxious. As a result of her anxiety, Louisa decides to avoid the situation altogether by quietly avoiding them and eating alone back at her desk in the office every day. During therapy sessions, her therapist is helping her break the cycle of anxiety by focusing on increasing her ability to relax and reframe her belief about worrying in social situations. Which of the following skills will help her begin to start to understand her anxiety cycle?
- psychoeducation (Incorrect. Louisa will benefit from psychoeducation, but that is not her first step.)
- problem-solving techniques (Incorrect. Louisa will benefit from problem-solving techniques, but that is not her first step.)
- desensitization (Incorrect. Louisa will benefit from desensitization, but that is not her first step.)
- relaxation techniques and mindfulness (Correct! The first step for Louisa is to be able to relax and be mindful of her anxiety.)
A: relaxation techniques and mindfulness

Q: There are two main pathways for anxiety treatment, which are often combined. The first avenue is psychotherapy, which is often successful when combined with what other forms of treatment?
- hypnotherapy (Incorrect. This is not the main pathway but can be effective in some cases.)
- nutrition (Incorrect. Healthy eating can improve your health, especially avoiding stimulants that contribute to anxiety, but this is not the second main pathway.)
- meditation (Incorrect. Meditation is often part of the psychotherapy process.)
- medication (Correct! The combination of psychotherapy and medication can help a person understand, shape, and change their framework and experience of anxiety.)
A: medication

Q: A person with panic disorder experiences extreme distress from anxiety and what other major symptom?
- agoraphobia (Incorrect. A person with panic disorders may have agoraphobia, but not necessarily.)
- phobias (Incorrect. A person may have phobias as a trigger, but it is not the major symptom.)
- muscle tension (Incorrect. Muscle tension could accompany panic disorder, but it is not a major symptom.)
- panic attacks (Correct! In order to receive a diagnosis of panic disorder, a person must experience anxiety, panic attacks, and avoidance as a result of the two.)
A: panic attacks

Q: During a panic attack, a person experiences a fight-or-flight physiological sensation. In order to receive a diagnosis, a person must have panic attacks that do not result from what other circumstances?
- environmental or emotional triggers (Incorrect. Panic attacks need to be a result of an expected or unexpected environmental or emotional trigger that is a physiological reaction as a result of anxiety.)
- agoraphobia (Incorrect. A person with panic disorders will have avoidance behaviors in their life consistent with agoraphobia.)
- safety behaviors (Incorrect. Safety behaviors are common with panic disorders.)
- physiological effects of drugs, medical conditions, or other mental health disorders (Correct! Panic attacks need to be a result of an expected or unexpected trigger that is a physiological reaction to anxiety rather than another medical condition.)
A: physiological effects of drugs, medical conditions, or other mental health disorders

Q: Carol was walking down the street alone and she was attacked on her walk home. After the accident, she was shaken up but did not start experiencing extreme anxiety until six weeks later. One night as she was going home, she saw a figure approaching her and she started to feel like she could not breathe. Her heart rate increased, her vision got blurry, and she felt like she was going to die. She continues to experience this sense of alarm at least once a week. What kind of anxiety is she experiencing?
- generalized anxiety (Incorrect. Carol does not have anxiety that is generalized.)
- social phobia (Incorrect. Carol does not have social phobia.)
- separation anxiety (Incorrect. Carol is not experiencing anxiety as a result of separation from an attached figure.)
- panic attacks (Correct! Carol is experiencing panic attacks.)
A: panic attacks

Q: Taylor was bullied by his classmates until he changed schools. Now, as a teenager, he has a strong urge to escape social situations with his peers. He experiences an overwhelming urge to escape from the room and starts to have an intense physical reaction where he feels panicked to the point he cannot breathe, feels very hot, and starts sweating profusely. What anxiety disorder does Taylor likely have?
- selective mutism (Incorrect. Taylor indicates that he does not like social situations, but he does not stop speaking.)
- a specific phobia (Incorrect. Taylor does not like social situations, but he does not have a social phobia.)
- separation disorder (Incorrect. Taylor wants to separate from the group.)
- agoraphobia (Correct! Taylor’s extreme reaction and desire to leave situations and causes him to avoid situations that can cause panic attacks.)
A: agoraphobia

Q: A person with agoraphobia has significant disruptions to their life in which of the following ways?
- They will experience panic attacks. (Incorrect. Agoraphobia can develop in absence of panic attacks, but it is common with panic disorder.)
- The anxiety of being in potential situations with other people leads to selective mutism. (Incorrect. A person with agoraphobia does not stop speaking due to their anxiety.)
- They will experience social anxiety. (Incorrect. A person can experience social phobia, but agoraphobia is not unique to social situations.)
- They will go out of their way to avoid social situations where they do not feel safe. (Correct! A person with agoraphobia experiences an extreme urge to escape situations that cause anxiety.)
A: They will go out of their way to avoid social situations where they do not feel safe.

Q: Common examples of agoraphobia include avoidance of public transportation, open space, enclosed spaces (e.g., elevators, stores, and stadiums), and crowded spaces. What type of behaviors does a person with agoraphobia do to reduce their anxiety?
- They develop obsessive and compulsive safety behaviors. (Incorrect. A person can have safety behaviors to calm their anxiety, but this does not represent anxiety-reducing behaviors of agoraphobia.)
- They develop selective mutism. (Incorrect. A person with agoraphobia does not stop speaking due to their anxiety.)
- They develop ticks. (Incorrect. A person can experience nervous ticks, but these do not relieve the fears of a person with agoraphobia.)
- They go out of their way to avoid social situations where they do not feel safe. (Correct! A person with agoraphobia experiences an extreme urge to escape situations that cause anxiety.)
A: They go out of their way to avoid social situations where they do not feel safe.

Q: Which of the following populations are the most at risk for developing panic disorder?
- children who have experienced significant physical or emotional trauma (Incorrect. Someone who has experienced trauma may develop panic disorder as a result, but it does not make them the most at risk due to individual differences.)
- children who have no family history of the disorder (Incorrect. There is a genetic component of panic disorder that runs in families.)
- children who also have a diagnosis of agoraphobia (Incorrect. Panic disorder can co-occur with agoraphobia, but it does not increase the risk.)
- female children whose parents have the disorder (Correct! While it is not fully understood, children with a family history of panic disorder are at higher risk. Also, women are twice as likely as men to have panic disorder.)
A: female children whose parents have the disorder

Q: Margaret is a woman diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder who also has a history of family trauma. Margaret feels a surge of anxiety and calls her doctor reporting the following symptoms: chest pain and fast heart rate, difficulty breathing, nausea, headache, and stress about losing control. Margaret has no history of heart disease, but there is a family history of anxiety. She is currently undergoing lots of stress at her employment. Margaret has experienced these symptoms once a week for three months. Her doctor sends her to the ER and she gets a diagnosis of panic disorder. Why is Margaret at higher risk for panic disorder?
- Margaret is a woman. (Incorrect. Women are more likely than men to have panic disorder, but this factor alone does not describe Margaret’s risk.)
- Margaret has generalized anxiety disorder. (Incorrect. Margaret may be more likely to have panic disorder with another anxiety disorder, but this factor alone does not describe Margaret.)
- Margaret has a history of trauma. (Incorrect. A history of trauma does not give a greater risk of developing panic disorder.)
- Margaret is a woman, has a genetic history, and experienced trauma. (Correct! Margaret has a family history of panic disorders, a history of trauma, and currently is experiencing extreme stress.)
A: Margaret is a woman, has a genetic history, and experienced trauma.

Q: Panic disorder is often associated with other mental health conditions. Which of the following statements is correct in distinguishing panic disorder from panic attacks:
- Anyone with panic attacks has panic disorder. (Incorrect. A person with panic disorder must meet the criteria of diagnosis of having panic attacks over a period of a month.)
- People with panic disorder only experience panic attacks when they develop agoraphobia. (Incorrect. People with panic disorder do not necessarily have agoraphobia.)
- Panic disorder is comorbid with people having panic attacks due to phobias. (Incorrect. A person can have panic attacks as a result of a phobia, but it is not always comorbid with panic disorder.)
- Panic attacks are more common and panic disorder is much less common. (Correct! Only 4.7% of Americans meet the diagnosis criteria for panic disorder whereas 23% of Americans have panic attacks.)
A: Panic attacks are more common and panic disorder is much less common.

Q: From a cognitive perspective, a person with panic disorder may have panic attacks based on the following statements?
- Panic attacks are a result of conditioned responses to bodily sensations when someone feels anxious. (Incorrect. From a behavioral perspective, it could be argued that panic attacks become conditioned, but this question is focused on the cognitive perspective.)
- Fearful and anxious thoughts activate certain regions of the brain which cause a release of neurotransmitters. (Incorrect. This response more closely aligns with the biological perspective.)
- Panic attacks are learned responses to trauma. (Incorrect. This is representative of the biological perspective.)
- People with panic disorder interpret normal sensations of the body as a catastrophe, which create a fearful interpretation cycle. (Correct. Panic disorder results from not only having unexpected panic attacks, but also must experience continued intense anxiety and avoidance related to the attack for at least one month, causing significant distress or interference in their lives.)
A: People with panic disorder interpret normal sensations of the body as a catastrophe, which create a fearful interpretation cycle.

Q: A person with a specific phobia experiences excessive, distressing, and persistent fear in response to which of the following statements?
- only a specific object (Incorrect. A person with a specific phobia can experience extreme anxiety in response to a specific object, but is not limited to that.)
- specific environments (Incorrect. A person with a specific phobia can experience extreme anxiety in response to a specific environment, but is not limited to that.)
- triggers that remind a person of a traumatic event (Incorrect. This reaction would describe PTSD, not a specific phobia.)
- an object or situation (Correct! A person with a specific phobia can experience extreme anxiety and distress in response to a specific object or situation.)
A: an object or situation

Q: Nia is terrified of snakes. Her heart pounds and she starts profusely sweating when she even thinks about snakes. Her fear is irrational and she understands that, but she refuses to go anywhere where it is warm enough for snakes to be out in the wild. What kind of specific phobia does Nia have?
- trypanophobia. (Incorrect. A person with a specific phobia of trypanophobia has a fear of injections.)
- cyanophobia. (Incorrect. A person with a specific phobia of cynophobia has a fear of dogs.)
- xenophobia. (Incorrect. A person with a specific phobia of xenophobia has a fear of strangers.)
- ophidiophobia (Correct! A person with a specific phobia of snakes has ophidiophobia.)
A: ophidiophobia

Q: Carl is afraid of heights. He has which type of anxiety disorder?
- panic disorder
- generalized anxiety disorder
- situational anxiety
- a specific phobia
A: a specific phobia

Q: Emerson is extremely afraid of heights. He has which type of anxiety disorder?
- panic disorder
- generalized anxiety disorder
- situational anxiety
- a specific phobia
A: a specific phobia

Q: Latham is a preschooler who has verminophobia (e.g., fear of germs). Latham started going to preschool in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She constantly fears that she will contract a sickness because she was informed by her teachers, parents, and siblings that she needs to wash her hands, stand six feet away from people, and not touch her face. Which term best explains how Latham acquired verminophobia?
- classical conditioning (Incorrect. Latham was not conditioned to fear germs.)
- modeling (Incorrect. Her caregivers and important adults in her life did not invoke her fear from modeling.)
- evolutionary (Incorrect. Germs do pose an evolutionary risk for people as it is a fear-relevant stimulus, but that is not how she acquired her fear.)
- verbal transmission (Correct! Latham was told by important people in her life verbally that she should fear germs.)
A: verbal transmission

Q: Clark is a child who has insectophobia. Clark used to be curious about bugs, but around the age of three, he began to notice that his cousin, mother, and sibling react fearfully to bugs. Now, he is terrified of looking at bugs in nature and in books. Through what means did phobia Clark acquire insectophobia?
- classical conditioning (Incorrect. Clark was not conditioned to fear insects.)
- verbal transmission (Incorrect. Clark did not gain a fear of insects from verbal transmission.)
- evolutionary (Incorrect. Insects do pose an evolutionary risk for people as it is a fear-relevant stimulus, but it is not how he acquired his fear.)
- modeling (Correct! Clark’s family modeled that bugs were scary and that he should fear them even though he was once curious about bugs and he had never been hurt by them.)
A: modeling

Q: A person with a specific phobia experiences extreme distress in response to a particular stimulus or situation. How does a person who has a specific phobia respond to the stimuli differently than someone with agoraphobia?
- A person fears the fear of an extreme reaction to a stimulus. (Incorrect. People with agoraphobia have a fear of the fear.)
- A person with specific phobias has a more rational response. (Incorrect. People with a specific phobia do not have a rational response in that some people are afraid of things with which they have never had a bad experience.)
- A person with a specific phobia feels like they are helpless. (Incorrect. People with agoraphobia also feel helpless and out of control, and therefore engage in avoidance behaviors.)
- Once the stimulus has been removed, a person can recover from extreme fear reaction. (Correct! A person who has a fear response to a specific stimulus can recover once the stimulus has been removed.)
A: Once the stimulus has been removed, a person can recover from extreme fear reaction.

Q: A person with social anxiety disorder can be characterized by having an extreme and persistent fear and avoidance of which of the following situations?
- social situations in general (Incorrect. People with social anxiety disorder are afraid of social situations in a specific context.)
- intense conversations (Incorrect. People with social anxiety are not afraid of intense conversations alone.)
- social interactions with their peers (Incorrect. People with social anxiety are not afraid of social interactions with their peers alone.)
- social situations where someone could be negatively judged (Correct! People with social anxiety disorder are afraid of social situations where they can be evaluated in a negative way.)
A: social situations where someone could be negatively judged

Q: Sheila is a young woman who has social anxiety disorder. Which of the following case studies would indicate that Sheila is a person with social anxiety disorder?
- She fears having a panic attack and avoids leaving her apartment. (Incorrect. In this scenario, she does not have social anxiety disorder.)
- She refuses to speak in certain circumstances and in front of particular people. (Incorrect. In this scenario, she does not have social anxiety disorder.)
- She avoids walking up flights of stairs. (Incorrect. In this scenario, she does not have social anxiety disorder.)
- She fears using public restrooms. (Correct! Sheila is afraid to use public restrooms because she is worried that people find her disgusting.)
A: She fears using public restrooms.

Q: A person with social anxiety disorder will use which of the following behaviors to control their anxiety and avoid social situations?
- agoraphobia (Incorrect. A person with social anxiety disorders may also have agoraphobia, but this diagnosis does not describe the primary behavior of someone with social anxiety disorder.)
- selective mutism (Incorrect. Selective mutism is a disorder that typically children have where they refuse to speak.)
- panic attacks (Incorrect. People with social anxiety will have panic attacks as a result of their anxiety.)
- safety behaviors (Correct! A person with social anxiety disorder performs safety behaviors, which are mental or behavioral acts to reduce anxiety in social situations to reduce social outcomes.)
A: safety behaviors

Q: The cause of social anxiety disorder is unclear, but it is hypothesized to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Which of the following describes the genetic component of social anxiety disorder?
- family history of generalized anxiety disorder (Incorrect. A person with social anxiety disorder is at a higher risk if they have a close family history of social anxiety disorder.)
- a comorbid anxiety diagnosis (Incorrect. People with social anxiety disorder are not at risk more with another anxiety disorder.)
- family history of drug or alcohol dependence (Incorrect. People with social anxiety disorder are at higher risk to use drugs and alcohol as a result of their anxiety.)
- behavioral inhibition (Correct! Behavioral inhibition is hypothesized to be an inherited trait of shyness and avoidance of unfamiliar people and situations.)
A: behavioral inhibition

Q: Social anxiety disorder is often described as a condition where a person understands that anxiety is unwarranted, but the anxiety persists. Which of the following answers represents this concept?
- behavioral inhibition (Incorrect. A person with social anxiety disorder is at a higher risk if they have a close family history of social anxiety disorder.)
- habitual (Incorrect. A person with social anxiety does not have a habit of anxiety.)
- avoidance (Incorrect. Avoidance is a behavioral coping mechanism of anxiety.)
- egodystonic (Correct! A person with social anxiety can become more anxious when they know their anxiety is irrational, which can lead to increased anxiety about people noticing their anxiety.)
A: egodystonic

Q: Burt is a 5-year-old boy who has a strong emotional attachment to his parents. During the first days of kindergarten, he had a difficult time separating from his parents during school drop off. The teacher reassures his parents that it is normal and healthy at the beginning of the school year. However, Burt’s initial heightened anxiety of leaving his parents does not change and his parents are worried. Burt is later diagnosed with separation anxiety. Which statement below would describe his behavior as a result of his anxiety?
- Burt has a panic attack. (Incorrect. A child with panic attacks on a regular basis has panic disorder.)
- Burt refuses to speak. (Incorrect. A child who is capable of speech but refuses to speak due to anxiety in certain circumstances has selective mutism.)
- Burt refuses to participate in group circles or when called on by the teacher. (Incorrect. A child who refuses to participate may have a social anxiety disorder.)
- Burt shows extreme emotional distress when his parents leave, has complaints of stomachaches and headaches, and constantly asks for reassurance from his teacher that his parents will come and pick him up. (Correct! Children with separation anxiety disorder participate in avoidance behaviors by showing distress emotionally or physically, avoidance in participation, and engaging in safety behaviors.)
A: Burt shows extreme emotional distress when his parents leave, has complaints of stomachaches and headaches, and constantly asks for reassurance from his teacher that his parents will come and pick him up.

Q: Which of the following statements is correct to describe the relationship between separation anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders?
- Separation anxiety is difficult to diagnose because of the overlap with other anxiety symptoms only for female children. (Incorrect. Separation anxiety disorder is not only found in females.)
- Certain behaviors of separation anxiety disorder, like avoidance behaviors, are connected to a family history of other anxiety disorders. (Incorrect. Separation anxiety does have a link to a family history of anxiety disorders but is unique to generalized anxiety disorder.)
- Separation anxiety disorder is often confused with a social anxiety disorder for children. (Incorrect. Separation anxiety is distinctive from a social anxiety disorder in that children experience anxiety when they separate from a loved one rather than fear of an unfamiliar person or particular situation.)
- It is highly comorbid with other behavioral disorders, especially generalized anxiety disorder. (Correct! Children with separation anxiety disorder participate in avoidance behaviors by showing distress emotionally or physically and engaging in safety behaviors.)
A: It is highly comorbid with other behavioral disorders, especially generalized anxiety disorder.

Q: Beth is a child who grew up in foster care for the first three years of her life. Recently, she has been placed in a foster home for adoption. After three months of living with her new family, she starts to display extreme anxiety. She experiences excessive worry about something happening to her foster parents; leaves the house; and often complains of physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, and vomiting. What anxiety disorder does Beth have?
- panic disorder (Incorrect. Beth does not have panic disorder as she does not have panic attacks.)
- agoraphobia (Incorrect. She is afraid of leaving the house, but not to avoid panic attacks.)
- selective mutism (Incorrect. Beth does not refuse to talk.)
- separation anxiety disorder (Correct! Children with these symptoms have separation anxiety disorder.)
A: separation anxiety disorder

Q: A person with selective mutism cannot have which of the following conditions?
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. A person with selective mutism can also have social anxiety disorder as it is often comorbid.)
- being able to speak to some but not all people (Incorrect. Being unable to speak in front of some people or situations is a characteristic of selective mutism.)
- separation anxiety (Incorrect. If a child refuses to speak when separated from a parent, that is not selective mutism.)
- the failure to speak or understand the spoken language in the environment (Correct! The diagnosis criteria include that the child’s silence is not due to an unknown language.)
A: the failure to speak or understand the spoken language in the environment

Q: Jack is a first-grader who has refused to speak to his teacher for three months. Jack will speak to his guidance counselor, assistant teacher, and his classmates but still refuses to speak to his teacher. When his parents ask him why he will not speak to them, he does not explain why but that he does not like to. What anxiety disorder does Jack have?
- generalized anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Jack does not display generalized anxiety disorder symptoms.)
- separation anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Jack is not showing anxiety due to him being separated from his parents.)
- social phobia (Incorrect. Jack does not have social phobia as he can interact with his classmates and other school personnel.)
- selective mutism (Correct! Jack’s refusal to speak to his teacher indicates that he has selective mutism.)
A: selective mutism

Q: A child undergoing treatment for selective mutism can receive medication and non-medication interventions. ________ is a specific aspect of therapeutic treatment.
- psychotherapy (Incorrect. Psychotherapy is a general technique used to treat selective mutism.)
- family therapy (Incorrect. Family therapy is a general technique used to treat selective mutism.)
- psychodynamic (Incorrect. Psychodynamic therapy is a general technique used to treat selective mutism.)
- self-modeling (Correct! Self-modeling is a technique where children are videotaped answering questions from someone they do and do not feel comfortable with and given reinforcement when seen answering questions from the person they do not feel comfortable with.)
A: self-modeling

Q: The use of anti-anxiety drugs represent which of the major psychological perspectives related to treatment for anxiety disorders?
- cognitive-behavioral (Incorrect. Incorrect. Anti-anxiety drugs are not of the cognitive and behavioral perspective.)
- humanistic (Incorrect. Anti-anxiety drugs are not of the humanistic perspective.)
- sociocultural perspective (Incorrect. Anti-anxiety drugs are not of the sociocultural perspective.)
- biological (Correct! Anti-anxiety drugs are medications that reduce anxiety by changing the chemistry in the brain. Examples include benzodiazepines, SSRI, or other antidepressants.)
A: biological

Q: Anxiety is prevalent across all types of people and is derived from many experiential experiences and physical sources. One example of anxiety-provoking experiences that can lead to an anxiety disorder is racial trauma, which consists of race-based traumatic stress from cumulative exposure to racism. What psychological perspective does racial trauma belong to?
- humanistic (Incorrect. Incorrect. Racial trauma does not fit under the humanistic umbrella.)
- biological (Incorrect. Racial trauma does not fit under the biological umbrella.)
- cognitive-behavioral (Incorrect. Racial trauma does not fit under the cognitive and behavioral umbrella.)
- sociocultural perspective (Correct! Racial trauma examines the effects of cultural influences, like racism, and how it affects the anxiety of different populations in the culture.)
A: sociocultural perspective

Q: Charles, a 25-year-old man, has a generalized anxiety disorder and needs treatment. His doctor is recommending treatment that exemplifies a client-centered therapy to help patients accept themselves and be less judgemental towards themselves. Which of the following answers is the correct psychological perspective?
- cognitive-behavioral (Incorrect. Cognitive and behavioral do not focus on self-acceptance through client-centered therapy.)
- sociocultural (Incorrect. Sociocultural does not focus on self-acceptance through client-centered therapy.)
- biological (Incorrect. Biological does not focus on self-acceptance through client-centered therapy.)
- humanistic (Correct! The humanistic perspective focuses on teaching people to see themselves more honestly and to practice more self-acceptance.)
A: humanistic

Q: Which of the following anti-anxiety drugs is most effective in treating a person with generalized anxiety disorder?
- buspirone (Incorrect. Buspirone is used for chronic anxiety in long-term treatment.)
- beta-blockers (Incorrect. Beta-blockers help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety.)
- SSRIs (Incorrect. SSRIs are generally the first form of treatment for panic disorder or social phobia.)
- benzodiazepines (Correct! Benzodiazepines are prescribed to treat short-term symptoms of anxiety for people with GAD because they are effective faster than other drugs.)
A: benzodiazepines

Q: The goal of ________ therapy is to help someone reduce their anxiety by developing the ability to tolerate, cope with, and accept uncertainty.
- cognitive-behavioral therapy (Incorrect. CBT teaches patients to reframe their anxiety through different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to anxiety-producing circumstances)
- acceptance and commitment therapy (Incorrect. ACT focuses on the acceptance of emotion, choosing goals, and taking action to keep changing their old anxious behaviors)
- motivational interviewing (Incorrect. Motivational interviewing is an open-ended interviewing process that allows for the therapist and client to explore and reflect on anxiety to increase intrinsic motivation and decrease ambivalence.)
- intolerance of uncertainty therapy (Correct! IUT uses certain components of psychoeducation like awareness of worry, problem-solving training, and re-evaluation of the usefulness of worry to help reduce their anxiety.)
A: intolerance of uncertainty therapy

Q: Robert Carter (2007) theorized that after race-based trauma, individuals of color often have emotional responses that are similar to which of the following anxiety disorders?
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. The theory by Robert Carter does not indicate a person has symptoms of social anxiety disorder.)
- separation anxiety disorder (Incorrect. The theory by Robert Carter does not indicate a person has symptoms of separation anxiety disorder.)
- selective mutism (Incorrect. The theory by Robert Carter does not indicate a person has symptoms of selective mutism.)
- PTSD (Correct! A person can have built up a traumatic stress response from chronic exposure or a single episode of a negative racial encounter. As a result, a person can have an unreal or distorted sense of experiences from triggers.)
A: PTSD

Q: Raymond has struggled with panic disorder for a few months and went to his school counseling center. There, he worked with a therapist to learn more about the situations that cause him anxiety and to recognize his reactions to these stressful situations. He’s been working on homework each week to recognize and lower his stress responses related to taking tests and the testing center. Raymond’s therapy is an example of
- intolerance of uncertainty therapy. (Incorrect. IUT uses certain components of psychoeducation like awareness of worry, problem-solving training, and re-evaluation of the usefulness of worry to help reduce their anxiety.)
- acceptance and commitment therapy. (Incorrect. ACT focuses on the acceptance of emotion, choosing goals, and taking action to keep changing their old anxious behaviors)
- motivational interviewing. (Incorrect. Motivational interviewing is an open-ended interviewing process that allows for the therapist and client to explore and reflect on anxiety to increase intrinsic motivation and decrease ambivalence.)
- cognitive-behavioral therapy. (Correct! CBT teaches patients to reframe their anxiety through different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to anxiety-producing circumstances)
A: cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Q: In flooding therapy, a therapist would start with what level of threatening situation?
- lowest threat (Incorrect. Flooding exposure would not start with the lowest threat.)
- highest threat (Incorrect. Flooding exposure would not start with the highest threat.)
- medium threat (Incorrect. Flooding exposure would not start with the medium threat.)
- highly threatening (Correct! Flooding exposure therapy would start with not the highest, but a higher threat that would give someone about 9 out of 10 on the anxiety scale.)
A: highly threatening

Q: The timeline of exposure to feared stimuli for systematic desensitization would be described as which of the following?
- immediate (Incorrect. Immediately does not describe the pace of systematic desensitization.)
- intense (Incorrect. Intense does not describe the pace of systematic desensitization.)
- slow (Incorrect. Slow does not describe the pace of systematic desensitization.)
- gradual (Correct! Systematic desensitization implements a gradual pace so patients can learn to manage their anxiety and pair exposure with relaxation training.)
A: gradual

Q: The goal of behavior therapy is
- to extinguish a patient’s fear of an anxiety-producing situation by replacing fear with an alternative response. (Incorrect. Behavior therapy in general does not focus on extinguishing a fear.)
- to systematically desensitize a fearful situation by replacing fear with an alternative response. (Incorrect. Behavior therapy in general does not focus on systematic desensitization.)
- to help patients cope with an anxiety-producing situation and stop using avoidance behaviors. (Incorrect. Behavior therapy in general does not focus on avoidance behaviors alone.)
- to help patients cope with an anxiety-producing situation by replacing fear with an alternative response. (Correct! Behavior therapy focuses on changing behavior, which means helping patients cope and replace their fear with a different response)
A: to help patients cope with an anxiety-producing situation by replacing fear with an alternative response.

Q: Seon Yeong is a young female professional who just graduated from college. She has a family history of anxiety and recently moved to a new area of the country. Seon Yeong has been struggling with feelings of anxiety for the past 10 months. On her own for the first time, she is having trouble sleeping and is also easily fatigued. She worries about financial stability, job performance, and meeting new people in a new city. When she does go out with colleagues, she feels on-edge and irritable. What anxiety disorder is Seon Yeong most likely suffering from?
- specific phobia (Incorrect. Seon Yeong does not have a phobia or safety behaviors to avoid a specific phobia.)
- PTSD (Incorrect. Seon Yeong is not having flashbacks and her anxiety is spread across her whole life, not in response to one salient trigger or memory.)
- social anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Seon Yeong can still socialize with others; however, she does feel on edge, but it does not stop her from interacting socially with her peers.)
- generalized anxiety disorder (Correct! Seong Yeong has a disruptive level of anxiety in her life that is generalized across her life.)
A: generalized anxiety disorder

Q: Iris was walking down the street alone and she was robbed on her walk home near a bus stop. After the accident, she was shaken up but did not start experiencing extreme anxiety until two weeks later. One night as she was going home, she saw a figure standing at a bus stop and she started to feel like she could not breathe. Her heart rate increased, her vision got blurry, and she felt like she was going to die. She continues to experience this sense of alarm at least once a week. What kind of anxiety disorder does Iris most likely have?
- generalized anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Iris does not have anxiety that is generalized.)
- social phobia (Incorrect. Iris does not have social phobia.)
- separation anxiety disorder (Incorrect. Iris is not experiencing anxiety as a result of separation from an attached figure.)
- panic disorder (Correct! Iris is experiencing panic disorder.)
A: panic disorder

Q: Zander was bullied by his fraternity brothers in college. Now, as an adult, he has a strong urge to escape social situations with groups of male peers. He experiences an overwhelming urge to escape from the room and starts to have an intense physical reaction where he feels panicked to where he cannot breathe, feels very hot, and starts sweating profusely. What anxiety disorder does Zander most likely have?
- selective mutism (Incorrect. Zander indicates that he does not like social situations, but he does not stop speaking.)
- phobias (Incorrect. Zander does not like social situations, but he does not have a social phobia)
- separation disorder (Incorrect. Zander wants to separate from the group.)
- agoraphobia (Correct! Zander’s extreme reaction and desire to leave situations causes him to avoid situations that can cause panic attacks.)
A: agoraphobia