2: Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
Define generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
At least 6-months of excessive anxiety and worry, with apprehension and tension about everyday life events
What is the time-frame for GAD
6-months
What gender is GAD most common
Female (2:1)
What is the genetic concordance of GAD
5-10%
What model describes aetiology of GAD
Triple vulnerability model
Describe the triple vulnerability model
- Biological
- Psychological
- Social
What biological factors contribute to GAD
- High cortisol
- Genetic
What psychological factors contribute to GAD
- Lack of perceived control: trauma, insecure attachment
- Parenting: over-protective, lack of warmth
What social factors contribute to GAD
Trauma
Marital problems
What are two risk factors for GAD
Stressful life events
Difficult marital relationships
What is the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for GAD
Requires at least 4 of the following, one must be autonomic symptoms:
- Psychological - excessive worrying
- Autonomic - sweating, palpitations, dry-mouth
- Physical - breathing difficulties, nausea, abdominal distress
- General - tingling, numbness
- Muscle tension - restlessness, feeling on edge
- Other: exaggerated response to minor surprises, insomnia, concentration difficulties
What is the investigation for GAD
Suspect GAD in people who present to GP with:
- Repeatedly present with excessive worrying
- Present with wide-range somatic symptoms
- Chronic physical health problems
What is first-line management for GAD
- Eduction
- Low-intensity psychosocial education
What are three low-intensity psychosocial interventions
- Non-facilitate self-help
- Guided self-help
- Psychoeducational groups
What is second-line for GAD
High-intensity psychosocial intervention
What high-intensity psychosocial interventions are used
- CBT
- Applied relaxation
What is first-line medication for GAD
SSRI
What should young people be warned of when starting SSRI
Increase risk of suicide
Explain monitoring of young people on SSRIs
See them weekly for the first-month
If SSRI ineffective, what should be done
Alternative SSRI or SNRI
What is an alternative to SSRI or SNRI
Pregabalin
Explain benzodiezapines for GAD
Benzodiazepines can be used in short-term crisis for anxiety, but should not be used long-term
What is fourth-line for GAD
Combination medication and high-intensity psychoeducation
Define a panic attack
Period of intense anxiety reaching peak-intensity at 10-minutes. Usually do not persist beyond 20-30 minutes. Can be spontaneous or precipitated
How long do panic attacks usually last
20-30min
What can cause panic attack
Spontaneous or situational
Define panic disorder
Recurrent tendency to experience panic attacks, not secondary to medical conditions, substance mis-use or psychiatric disorder
What is the problem with panic disorder
Individual fears about having another panic attack, which can lead to them avoid a particular situation
In which gender is panic disorder more common
Females (2:1)
When is panic disorder most common
15-25 or 45-55
What are 5 risk factors for panic disorder
- Living in a city
- Widow
- Early parental loss
- Limited education
- Sexual or physical abuse
What disorders are associated with panic disorder
- Agraphobia (75%)
- Depression (70%)
- Other anxiety disorders (50%)
What is a mnemonic to remember clinical presentation of panic attacks
STUDENTS FEAR 3C’s
Explain clinical presentation of panic attacks
Sweating Trembling Unsteadiness Derealisation Elevated HR, palpitations Nausea Tingling
FEAR of dying
Choking (Globus hystericus)
Chest pain
Chills
What is fear of dying called
Angor Amnii
What is choking due to psychological causes referred to as
Globus hystericus
Explain diagnosis of panic disorder
If individual presents to A+E with panic attack - need to exclude underlying physical causes (eg. MI, AF). Can distinguish panic disorder from the history
What is first-line for panic disorder
Low-intensity psychoeducational interventions
What are two low-intensity psychosocial interventions
Individual non-facilitated self-help
Individual facilitated self-help
Monitor 4-8W and use panic sub scale to measure effectiveness
What is a high-intensity psychological intervention
CBT
What pharmacological intervention is first-line for panic disorder
SSRI
What is second-line medication for panic disorder if SSRIs are ineffective
TCA: imipramine, clomipramine
When are TCAs indicated for panic disorder
If no improvement on SSRIs after 12W
What is fourth-line for panic disorder
Pharmacological and CBT
Define specific phobic disorder
Excessive unreasonable fear caused by presence of anticipation of a specific event
In which gender is phobic disorder more common
Female (4:1)