Mental Health Technician Certification (AMCA) Practice Test

When anxiety is maladaptive, what characteristic does it typically exhibit?

1. Effective coping strategies

2. Ineffective coping

3. Excessive confidence

4. Avoidance behavior

The correct answer is: Ineffective coping

When anxiety is maladaptive, it often manifests as ineffective coping mechanisms. This means that the individual is unable to manage their anxiety in a constructive way, leading to heightened distress and impairment in daily functioning. Ineffective coping can include behaviors such as denial, substance use, or avoidance of situations that may provoke anxiety rather than addressing the root issues. In contrast to effective coping strategies, which help individuals to face challenges and build resilience, maladaptive anxiety opens the door to further difficulties, creating a cycle of avoidance and increased anxiety. While avoidance behavior is an aspect of maladaptive anxiety, it specifically refers to the tendency to steer clear of anxiety-triggering situations rather than addressing the anxiety constructively. Excessive confidence does not typically relate to maladaptive anxiety; rather, it is often characteristic of certain personality traits or conditions. Thus, the primary characteristic of maladaptive anxiety revolves around the presence of ineffective coping strategies.