Anxiety Flashcards
Symptoms of anxiety
Cognition: fear of dying, loss of control, collapse, ruminating thoughts, depersonalisation Dizziness/ sweating chills/hot flush chest pain/palpiations/SOB stomach ache/nausea/urge to defecate
What is generalised anxiety disorder
‘free-floating anxiety’ excessive worrying and apprehension about future misfortunes present for 6 months
What symptoms occur in GAD
Physical symptoms: GI discomfort, loose stools, restlessness, insomnia, muscle tension
Mood: irritability, difficulty concentrating
egodystonic
What differentials must be ruled out for diagnosis of GAD
- hyperthyroidism
- substance misuse
- excess caffeine
- anxious personality disorder
- dementia
Define phobic anxiety disorder
Extreme unreasonable irrational fear of a specific stimulus which interfered with social and daily life
What is agoraphobia
Fear of open spaces and situations that are confined/difficult to leave e.g. public transport, queues, supermarkets
- have overwhelming urge to return to safety
what is social anxiety disorder
intense fear of social situations in which adult believes they will be scrutinised, can be in specific social situations e.g. public speaking or generally, persistent for >= 6 months
what symptoms might a patient with social anxiety have
avoidance of social situations
self medication- drugs alcohol
fear of loss of control, ruminating thoughts
depersonalisation/derealisation
What is panic disorder
Sudden unpredictable episode of intense anxiety for up to 45 mins usually with accompanying physical symptoms of SOB, chest pain, palpitations, shaking, sweating, dizziness, choking sensation, feeling of impending doom
what is the criteria for diagnosis of panic disorder
recurrent (>2) unexpected panic attacks
persistent concern about having panic attakcs
ruled out organic, iatrogenic and other psych disorders
In OCD: what are obsessions?
Unwanted intrusive thoughts which are often unpleasant and cause anxiety- pt recognises these thoughts are irrational (egodystonic) and their own
in OCD: what are compulsions
repeated, stereotyped and purposeful rituals that the patient feels compelled to carry out to neutralise or undo their obsession
what are common themes of OCD
obsessions- contamination, aggression, infection, morality
compulsions: cleaning, counting, checking, ordering
Management of OCD
CBT- exposure and response therapy
SSRIs to manage anxiety
What is PTSD
Following severe traumatic event that threatened death or serious harm, in which pt felt intense fear and repeated reliving experience with phobic avoidal of trauma-related stimuli, hyperarousal and symptoms lasting >=1 month and cause of distress
