260 Chapter 5

agoraphobia

anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult

animal phobias

unreasonable, enduring fear of animals or insects that usually develops early in life

anxiety

state of mood characterized by marked negative affect and bodily symptoms of tension in which a person apprehensively anticipates future danger or misfortune. anxiety may involve feelings, behaviours, and physiological responses

behavioural inhibition system (BIS)

brain circuit in the limbic system that responds to threat signals by inhibiting activity and causing anxiety

blood-injury-injection phobias

unreasonable fear and avoidance of exposure to blood, injury, or the possibility of an injection. victims experience fainting and a drop in blood pressure

fear

immediate emotional alarm reaction to present danger or life-threatening emergencies

fight/flight system (FFS)

brain circuit in animals that, when stimulated, causes an immediate alarm and escape response resembling human panic

generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

anxiety disorder characterized by intense, uncontrollable, unfocused, chronic, and continuous worry that is distressing and unproductive accompanied by physical symptoms of tenseness, irritability, and restlessness

natural environment phobias

extreme fear of situations or events in nature, especially heights, storms, and water

panic

sudden overwhelming fright or terror

panic attack

abrupt experience of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical symptoms such as dizziness or heart palpitations

panic control treatment (PCT)

cognitive-behavioural treatment for panic attacks, involving gradual exposure to feared somatic sensations and modification of perceptions and attitudes about them

panic disorder (PD)

recurrent unexpected panic attacks accompanied by concern about future attacks and/or a lifestyle change to avoid future attacks

separation anxiety disorder

excessive enduring fear in some children that harm will come to them or their parents while they are apart

situational phobias

anxieties involving enclosed places or public transportation

social anxiety disorder

extreme, enduring, irrational fear and avoidance of social or performance situations

specific phobia

unreasonable fear of a specific object or situation that markedly interferes with daily life functioning