Alex misinterpreted the irregular heartbeat that accompanied his panic attack as indicating heart disease and so became unnecessarily hypervigilant to any potentially stressful events.This best illustrates the importance of ________ in anxiety disorders.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario highlights the role of cognitive processes in anxiety disorders, specifically in the misinterpretation of physical symptoms and events. Alex's misinterpretation of his irregular heartbeat as a sign of heart disease demonstrates the impact of cognitive biases on his hypervigilance to potential stressors, which can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

Alex Misinterpreted the Irregular Heartbeat That Accompanied His Panic Attack