Anxiety disorders Flashcards
(41 cards)
What is psychological stress?
An individual’s reaction to stress will depend on a balance between their cognitive processing of any perceived threat and perceived ability to cope
Coping is problem and emotion focussed
How might emotion focussed coping mechanisms for stress be managed?
Relaxation training
Sedative
How can symptoms of anxiety be grouped?
Psychological arousal Autonomic Arousal Muscle Tension Hyperventilation Sleep Disturbance
How are stress and performance linked?
Performance is often optimal at medium stress but any extreme levels of stress on either end is associated with sub-optimal performance
How might psychological arousal in anxiety present?
Fearful Anticipation Irritability Sensitivity to noise Poor concentration Worrying Thoughts
How might autonomic arousal present?
Dry mouth Swallowing difficulties Dyspepsia Nausea Loose BMs Tight chest Palpitations Chest pain Frequency/urgency of micturation Erectile failure Dizziness/sweating
How might muscle tension present with anxiety?
Tremor
Headache
Muscle pain
How might hyperventilation present with anxiety?
CO2 deficit hypocapnia
Numbness/tingling in extremities
SOB
How might sleep disturbance present in anxiety?
Initial insomnia
Frequent waking
Nightmares/terrors
What is the difference between generalised and phobic anxiety disorders?
Generalised occur persistently whether as Phobic occur in particular circumstances
What are some common phobic anxiety disorders?
Agoraphobia
Social phobia
Specific phobias
How might GAD present?
All the same symptoms as normal anxiety
Symptoms persist for several months
Not confined to a situation or subject
What are some psychiatric differential diagnose for anxiety disorders?
Depression
Schizophrenia
Dementia
Substance Misuse
What are some physical differential diagnoses for anxiety disorders?
Thyrotoxicosis
Phaeochromoctoma
Hypoglycaemia
Asthma and or Arrhythmias
Does GAD affect more men or women?
Women
What causes GAD in general terms?
GAD for instance is caused by a stressor acting on a personality predisposed to the disorder by a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences in childhood
What are some components of counselling for GAD?
Clear Plan of Management
Explanation and education
Advice re caffeine, alcohol, exercise etc
How does relaxation training work to treat GAD?
Group or individual
DVDs, tapes or clinician led
What are some medications used to manage GAD?
Sedatives
SSRIs
TCAs
What is a drawback of sedatives?
High risk of dependency
How is CBT used for GAD?
Emotional response depends on cognitive processing
Identifying errors, reprocessing and reassessing responsibility are key elements
Patients tend to find this intuitively sensible
Maintaining remission appears superior to drug therapy
How do phobic anxiety disorders present?
Similar to GAD but only in specific circumstances
Person behaves to avoid these circumstances
Also experiences anxiety if there is a perceived threat of encountering the feared object or situation
What is a specific phobia?
Overwhelming and unreasonable fear of objects or situations that pose little real danger but provoke anxiety and avoidance
What is a social phobia?
Inappropriate anxiety in situation where person feels observed or could be criticised
E.g. restaurants, shops, public speaking
