Anxiety and depression

Question 1

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Answer 1

• feelings of fear and tensing up
• fast HR and breathing
• sensation of thumping heart or palpitations
• nausea
• sweating
  -shaking or tremor
• dry mouth
• chest pain
• headaches

Question 2

What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

Answer 2

Social anxiety
Panic attacks and panic disorders
Generalised anxiety disorder
Acute stress reaction
PTSD
Phobias
OCD

Question 3

What is social anxiety disorder?

Answer 3

• With social anxiety disorder you become very anxious about what other people may think of you, or how they may judge you
• You may have weeks of anxiety prior to a social event or an event where you have to ‘perform’.

Question 4

What is a panic attack?

Answer 4

• A panic attack is a severe attack of anxiety and fear which occurs suddenly, often without warning, and for no apparent reason (or can be triggered)
• Occurs with symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and chest pains

Question 5

What is generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 5

• Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) makes people feel worried and nervous most of the time. The condition persists long-term. Some of the physical symptoms of anxiety may come and go. Your anxiety tends to be about various stresses at home or work
• Symptoms include; feeling restless, irritable, muscle tension. tiring easily, difficulty sleeping and concentrating

Question 6

What is an acute stress reaction?

Answer 6

An acute stress reaction occurs when a person experiences certain symptoms after a particularly stressful event. The word ‘acute’ means the symptoms develop quickly but do not last long.

Question 7

What is PTSD and what are the treatment options?

Answer 7

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition where you have recurring distressing memories, flashbacks and other symptoms after having or witnessing a traumatic event.
• Treatment options include antidepressant medication and non-medicinal treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

Question 8

What are phobias and what is the treatment?

Answer 8

A phobia is strong fear or dread of a thing or event, which is out of proportion to the reality of the situation. The most effective treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy. Antidepressant medication also helps in many cases.

Question 9

What is OCD and what is the treatment?

Answer 9

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition where you have recurring obsessions, compulsions, or both. The usual treatments are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant medicine, or both
• Things to obsess about include washing hands and checking doors are locked

Question 10

What pharmaceutical treatment is offered to patients with anxiety?

Answer 10

Antidepresseants, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI’s) including sertraline and escitalopram

Question 11

What medication is only used for short term bad periods of anxiety?

Answer 11

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam, they are addictive however and can lose effect if taken long enough

Question 12

What medication can ease some of the physical symptoms of anxiety?

Answer 12

Beta blockers such as propanolol

Question 13

What are the non-medical treatments of anxiety?

Answer 13

understanding and information, counselling, anxiety management courses, cognitive behavioural therapy or self help

Question 14

What is depression?

Answer 14

True clinical depression is a mood disorder, which means low mood and associated symptoms daily for at least two weeks

Question 15

When are depression symptoms usually worst?

Answer 15

Early in the day

Question 16

What are the symptoms of depression?

Answer 16

• Persistent sadness or low mood. This may be with, or without, a tendency to cry.
• Marked loss of interest or pleasure in activities, even for activities that you normally enjoy.
• Disturbed sleep compared with your usual pattern.
• Change in appetite.
• Tiredness (fatigue), or loss of energy.
• Agitation or slowing of movements.
• Hopelessness about the future.
• Poor concentration or indecisiveness
• Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
• Recurrent thoughts of death.

Question 17

How is sleep pattern usually affected in depression?

Answer 17

Wake up in the early hours of the morning and find it hard to get back to sleep

Question 18

What are some of the physical symptoms associated with depression?

Answer 18

With depression, it is common to develop physical symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations and general aches

Question 19

What are some of the differential diagnoses with depression?

Answer 19

Underactive thyroid gland, underactive pituitary gland, head injury, early dementia, medicstions or polymyalgia rheumatic

Question 20

When are common times for women to develop depression?

Answer 20

Women tend to develop depression more often than men. Particularly common times for women to become depressed are after childbirth and the menopause

Question 21

What is the treatment for depression?

Answer 21

Non medical- guided self help, CBT, group exercises and behavioural actions, mindfulness and meditation, interpersonal psychotherapy
Antidepressant medication= selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be advised if you have severe depression which has not improved with other treatments.

Question 22

What are some protective factors that might be useful to discuss with a patient with depression?

Answer 22

Current employment
Good social support
Marital/relationship status

Question 23

What are some biological factors that increase the risk of depression?

Answer 23

Chronic illness
Family history of depression
Substance misuse
Anxiety

Question 24

What is the diagnosis of depression dependant on?

Answer 24

The presence of symptoms for at least 2 weeks (this may be less if depression is severe)
The symptoms are not attributable to other organic or substance causes (e.g. normal bereavement)
The symptoms impair daily function and cause significant distress

Question 25

What are the 3 core symptoms of depression?

Answer 25

Low mood
Anhedonia: low interest or pleasure in most activities of the day
Lack of energy (anergia)