anxiety Flashcards
(20 cards)
what is generalised anxiety disorder
persistent or excessive worry that interferes with daily activities
what is panic disorder
recurrent panic attacks - an overwhelming physical and psychological distress
what is social anxiety disorder
the persistent disproportionate fear of social situations
what is agrophobia
the fear of being in situations where escape may be difficult or embarrassing, or help might not be available in the event of panic symptoms
what are the different types of anxiety
- generalised anxiety disorder
- social anxiety disorder
- panic disorder/ panic attack specifier
- OCD
- hoarding disorder
what are the symptoms present in GAD
- feeling restless or on edge
- feeling irritable
- feeling panic or fear
- uncontrollable obsessive thoughts
- difficulty concentrating
- restlessness
- heart palpitations
-muscle tension - disturbed sleep
- trembling
- sweating
- dizziness
what are additional symptoms that may be found in social anxiety disorder
- blushing
- hand tremor
- nausea
- urgency of urination
what symptoms are present in panic attack disorder/ specifier
- tachycardia
- sweating
- shaking
- hyperventilation
- feeling chocked
- chest pain
- nausea
- feeling faint
- feeling chilled or hot
- feeling faint
- detached from reality
- fear of insanity
- fear of instant death
GAD diagnosis
- excessive anxiety present more days than not for 6 months
- hard to control anxiety
- adults = 3 symptoms and children = 1 symptom
- impairment in daily life
- not from medication, drug abuse etc and not netter explained by another mental disorder
PAS diagnosis
adults need 4 or more symptoms to occur simultaneously
what are treatment options for anxiety disorder
- psychological support
- CBT
- recovery and resilience work
- social support
- medication
- education and communication
what medication options are used for anxiety disorder
- antidepressants
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline)
- serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
- benzodiazepines
areas that are part of GAD and sensory perception
- frontal lobe - memory, cognitive function
- occipital lobe - visual processing
- thalamus - sensory processing area
- hippocampus - learning and memory
- amygdala - emotional response, fear and threatening stimulus reactions
what is the pathophysiology of anxiety
- in the CNS it is mediated by: norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and GABA
- the autonomic (mainly sympathetic) nervous system mediates the symptoms
- the amygdala is part of anxiety and fear
- there is a heightened amygdala response in those with anxiety
what is the amygdala hijack
- this is when the adrenaline rush in the amygdala causes a fight, flight or freeze response
- the amygdala takes control over the frontal cortex stopping reason and rational to be used
what are the characteristics of the amygdala hijack
- strong emotional reaction
- sudden onset
- regretting actions later
what is the crisis cycle
- this is when you loose reason and objectivity during moments of high stress
- at the crisis point you do thinks that you regret later
- there is escalation -> crisis -> de-escalation -> post crisis
benzodiazepines and GAD
- benzodiazepines bind to the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA throughout the CNS
- Benzos bind to a different site to GABA and have an allosteric effect (exert influence over GABA binding)
- increase action at the GABA receptor
- allows chloride ions into the neurone
- this hyperpolarise the membrane
- means neurons are less likely to fire an action potential
- inhibiting the neurone causes a calming effect
SSRIs and GAD
- SSRIs inhibit reuptake of serotonin
- removing the ability for serotonin to be taken back up into the presynaptic neurone increases serotonin in the synaptic cleft
- increase in serotonin helps to regulate mood and emotions - having a calming effect
SNRIS and GAD
- inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
- these NTs rise in the synaptic cleft
- increases levels help to treat the symptoms of anxiety
