Anxiety Flashcards
(43 cards)
Give examples of the biological symptoms of anxiety.
- Sweating, hot flushes or cold chills
- Trembling
- Muscle tension/aches/pains
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, faint or lightheaded
- Dry mouth (not due to medication or dehydration)
- Feeling of choking
- Lump in the throat, or difficulty in swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Nausea /churning in stomach
Give examples of the cognitive symptoms caused by anxiety
- Fear of losing control
- Difficulty concentrating, “mind going blank”
- Feeling that objects are unreal - derealization
- Feeling that the self is distant - depersonalisation
- Hypervigilance (internal and external)
- Racing thoughts
- Meta-worry
- Health anxiety
- Preference for order and routine
What behavioural symptoms indicate anxiety?
- Avoidance of situations
- Exaggerated response to minor surprises/startled
- Difficulty sleeping due to worrying
- Excessive use of alcohol/drugs
- Restlessness/ irritability
Acute stress increases cortisol levels. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
When is anxiety considered pathological?
- when anxiety is more extreme than “normal”
- when anxiety presents in certain situations that are not “normally” anxiety provoking
Give examples of types of anxiety disorder?
Generalised Anxiety Disorder Panic Disorder Agoraphobia Social Phobia Specific Phobia Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
What is meant by Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
- generalised and persistent anxiety
- not in any particular circumstance or environment
- long-lasting (most days for at least 6 months)
- not controllable
- causing significant distress / impairment in function
What symptoms of anxiety are typically found in Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
- restlessness
- easily fatigued
- difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- irritability
- muscle tension
- sleep disturbance
Who normally gets Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
Typical age of onset between 20-40
2:1 female:male ratio
What percentage of patient’s with Generalised Anxiety disorder also have other co-morbid psychiatric disorders (e.g. depression, substance abuse etc)
90%
How is generalised anxiety disorder treated?
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- SSRIs / SNRIs
- Pregabalin
- Benzodiazepines (short term only)
What is CBT and how does it work?
- Talking therapy
- identifying individual’s automatic thoughts, cognitive biases and schemas
- Help the individual understand why their thoughts are pathological/harmful and perpetuate the anxiety
What is panic disorder?
- recurrent attacks of severe anxiety
- not restricted to any particular situation
- unpredictable
What symptoms and thoughts are experienced in a panic disorder?
palpitations
chest pain
choking sensations
dizziness
feelings of unreality (depersonalization or derealization)
Secondary fear of dying/losing control/going mad
Many patients with panic disorder also have agoraphobia. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
50-67%
When is the typical onset of panic disorder?
Late adolescence to mid-30’s
How many people have recovered or improved at 10 year follow up of a panic disorder?
1/3 unchanged or worse
1/3 modest improvement
1/3 well
How are panic disorders treated?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
SSRIs / SNRIs / Tricyclics
Benzodiazepines (short term only)
When do phobias typically present?
- Agoraphobia = 20-30s
- Social and Specific phobias = early adolescence - early 20’s
Do patients with a phobia recognise their fear is irrational?
Yes
What is agoraphobia?
cluster of phobias:
- fears of leaving home
- entering shops
- crowds
- public places
- Travelling alone in trains, buses or planes
Sometimes patients with agoraphobia can avoid their stimulus so much that they experience very little anxiety. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
What are the signs of agoraphobia in relation to shopping?
others do shopping (for or with the patient)
go shopping to 24 hour store at night (when quiet)
Internet shopping!
Why do patients with agoraphobia often drink alcohol?
- to overcome fear and allow them to go out and do tasks they wouldn’t previously do
