11 Anxiety disorders Flashcards
Describe anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear or anxiety that cause individuals to try and avoid triggering situations, differentiating from normal feelings of nervousness.
What are the types of anxiety disorders mentioned in the content?
Acute stress disorder, Generalised anxiety disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias.
How is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) characterized?
GAD is characterized by excessive worry about everyday issues that is disproportionate to any inherent risk, occurring frequently for at least 6 months.
Define the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders.
Psychological theories suggest patients perceive higher risk/fear in lower risk situations, biological theories propose overstimulation of specific brain circuits, and environmental theories link adversity to higher likelihood of developing anxiety disorders.
What are some common physical symptoms of anxiety disorders?
Heart pounding, flushing, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, headache, dry mouth, etc.
Explain the complications associated with anxiety disorders.
Complications include distress, substantial disability, impaired quality of life, impaired social and occupational functioning, co-morbidities like depression and substance misuse, suicidal ideation, increased healthcare resource utilization.
Describe the drug treatment options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
SSRIs like sertraline, paroxetine, or escitalopram, SNRIs like duloxetine or venlafaxine, and pregabalin if SSRI or SNRI cannot be tolerated.
What self-care measures can be taken forAD?
Improving sleep hygiene, engaging in regular exercise, and being cautious with over-the-counter medicines due to potential interactions.
Define Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and list some common causes.
PTSD is a condition following exposure to a major traumatic event like accidents, assault, abuse, work-related trauma, war, or torture.
How does Acute Stress Reaction differ from PTSD?
Acute Stress Reaction lasts up to one month after an event and may include some PTSD symptoms, while PTSD can be severe, enduring, and last for years.
Describe the diagnosis criteria for PTSD.
Diagnosis includes re-experiencing the event, negative self-perception, interpersonal difficulties, dissociation, emotional numbing, mood alterations, hyperarousal, and avoidance of triggering situations.
What are the management options for PTSD?
Specialist referral, psychological therapies like CBT, eye movement desensitization, antidepressants (e.g., venlafaxine, SSRIs), antipsychotics (e.g., risperidone), and urgent crisis resolution referral for high suicide risk patients.
Describe the core symptom of panic disorder.
The core symptom is recurrent unexpected panic attacks that are not situational.
What is necessary for a diagnosis of panic disorder according to DSM-5?
At least two unexpected attacks.
How long do panic attacks usually last?
They usually last at least 10 minutes, but the duration can vary.
