Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
(42 cards)
Pathological anxiety vs normal anxiety?
Pathological is pathological in extent (extremeness) and in context (situations that shouldn’t be anxiety inducing)
What acts as an emotional filter in the brain?
Amygdala
-Assesses whether sensory material via thalamus requires stress or fear response, this is modified by the later received cortically processed signal
(Ie act first, think later)
What is generalised anxiety disorder?
Anxiety which is generalized and persistent but not restricted to, or even strongly predominating in any particular environmental circumstances
Dominant symptoms of GAD?
- Complaints of persistent nervousness
- Trembling
- Muscular tensions
- Sweating
- Light headedness
- Palpitations
- Dizziness and epigastric discomfort
- Irritability
- Easily fatigued
- Sleep disturbance
What must GAD no be due to?
Any other disorder (eg hyperthyroidism)
What does GAD need to be for diagnosis?
Severe enough to be long lasting (most days for at least 6 months)
Not controllable
Causing signif distress/impaired function
Who gets GAD?
Typically: 20-40
2:1 female to male
Treatment of choice for GAD?
Psychoeducation
CBT
Pharmacological treatment of GAD?
SSRIs/SNRIs
Pregabalin
AVOID Benzos because chronic
GAD stepwise treatment?
Panic disorder essential feature?
Recurrent attacks of sever anxiety which are not restricted to any particular situation or circumstances are are therefore unpredictable
Which anxiety is more severe GAD or Panic disorder?
Panic disorder
However it is short lasting and person feels fine after episode (GAD has constant background anxiety)
Dominant symptoms of panic disorder?
- Sudden onset chest pain
- Palpitations
- Choking sensations
- Dizziness and feelings of unreality
- Secondary feeling of fear of dying, losing control or going mad
Which more common GAD or PD?
GAD
Typical onset of PD?
Late adolescence- Mid 30s
Treatment of choice for PD?
CBT
If no benefit from CBT in PD what next?
SSRIs or SNRIS
OR
Tricyclics can be used (clomipramine, despiramine, imipramine, iofepramine)
Benzos only short term
What is agoraphobia?
Well defined cluster of phobias embracing fears of leaving home, entering shops, crowds, and public spaces or travelling alone on trains, buses or planes
People with agoraphobia experience _______ because _________?
Little anxiety
They avoid the situations (like the plague)
Is Agoraphobia normally primary or secondary?
Secondary to PD or depression
First line agoraphobia treatment?
CBT
Exposure therapy
SSRIS/SNRIS only if needed
What is a specific phobia?
Marked and persistent fear that is XSive or unreasonable, cued by presence or anticipation of specific object or situation
Treatment for specific phobias?
Behavioural therapy and graded exposure
Add in CBT if necessary
SSRIS/SNRIS if required can be helpful to augment BT
What is social anxiety disorder?
Persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or possible scrutiny by others
