2. Anxiety Flashcards
1
Q
How common is it?
A
Very common
1 in 3 in their lifetime
5% of population prevalence
2
Q
Who does it affect?
A
F>M (debatable)
Midlife
3
Q
What causes it?
A
Complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors
Relationship to physical health also
4
Q
What risk factors are there?
A
People who have gone through adverse life events (eg psychological trauma)
5
Q
How does it present?
A
Subjective feeling of fear / apprehension Sympathetic overactivity Racing thoughts, over-thinking Poor concentration Irritable Insomnia Anorexia
6
Q
What signs may the patient have on examination?
A
Increased pace of speech
Occurs in absence of a stressful event
7
Q
What other conditions might present similarly?
A
Substance misuse / withdrawal Caffeine abuse Phaeochromocytoma Hyperthyroidism Anaemia
8
Q
How would you investigate?
A
FBC LFTs TFTs 24h urine test Plasma catecholamines
9
Q
What treatments are there?
A
Bio = antidepressants, pregabalin Psycho = self-help, CBT, applied relaxation Social = involve family, psycho-educational groups
10
Q
What complications are there?
A
Depression
Self-harm
