What characterizes anxiety disorders according to psychological definitions?

What characterizes anxiety disorders according to psychological definitions?

• A. Ongoing, chronic stress
• B. Extreme emotional highs and lows
• C. Unrealistic or excessive anxiety
• D. Acute situational stress reactions

Answer: (C)

Anxiety disorders are characterized by unrealistic or excessive anxiety, which reflects the core feature of these disorders. Individuals with anxiety disorders often experience persistent and intense feelings of fear or apprehension that are out of proportion to the actual threat or situation. This means that the anxiety is not just a temporary response to stress or a particular situation; rather, it is a chronic condition that can significantly impact daily functioning and well-being. The nature of this anxiety can manifest in various ways, including generalized anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and social anxiety, among others. These experiences can lead to avoidance behaviors and can interfere with normal life activities, relationships, and responsibilities. In contrast, other options provide descriptions that do not accurately represent the defining characteristics of anxiety disorders. Ongoing chronic stress may occur in various contexts but is not specific to anxiety disorders alone. Emotional highs and lows are more indicative of mood disorders, while acute situational stress reactions refer to short-term responses to specific stressors, not the pervasive anxiety seen in anxiety disorders.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by unrealistic or excessive anxiety, which reflects the core feature of these disorders. Individuals with anxiety disorders often experience persistent and intense feelings of fear or apprehension that are out of proportion to the actual threat or situation. This means that the anxiety is not just a temporary response to stress or a particular situation; rather, it is a chronic condition that can significantly impact daily functioning and well-being.

The nature of this anxiety can manifest in various ways, including generalized anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and social anxiety, among others. These experiences can lead to avoidance behaviors and can interfere with normal life activities, relationships, and responsibilities.

In contrast, other options provide descriptions that do not accurately represent the defining characteristics of anxiety disorders. Ongoing chronic stress may occur in various contexts but is not specific to anxiety disorders alone. Emotional highs and lows are more indicative of mood disorders, while acute situational stress reactions refer to short-term responses to specific stressors, not the pervasive anxiety seen in anxiety disorders.