387: Week 8 - Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
Anxiety is…
An uncomfortable feeling of apprehension or dread that occurs in response to internal or external stimuli and can result in physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms
What is ‘Generalized anxiety disorder”? What are the common symptoms of GAD?
DSM IV TR Criteria - Anxiety present for more days than not in the last 6 months - Anxiety difficult to control and impedes functioning (cognitive and occupational) - 3 of more of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance - Prevalence – Approximately 5% of the population
What is “Panic disorder”? When does this disorder onset?
- Chronic condition characterized by the appearance of disabling attacks of panic that can often lead to other symptoms (including other anxiety and mood disorders) - May believe that they are having a heart attack and often believe that there are underlying medical reasons for their symptoms - Typically peaks in adolescence and again in the 30s
Panic attack
-Sudden, short and discrete periods of intense fear or discomfort that are accompanied by significant physical or cognitive symptoms -attacks usually peak at 10 min but may last for up to 30 min -attacks are usually stimulated by either external or internal driver (feared object, person or uncomfortable situation)
What is a “Phobia”?
A persistent, unrealistic fear of situations, objects, activities
What is “Agoraphobia”?
- Fear of open spaces - Commonly co-exists with panic disorder - Occurs in about 5% of individuals - May not come to the attention of health care professionals – these individuals often live in isolation -> exposure to open spaces will induce panic attack
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions: Recurrent thoughts or images that are intrusive and inappropriate. These obsessions cause anxiety Compulsions: Repetitive, ritualistic behaviours or mental acts – the goal of which is avoiding or reducing anxiety and stress associated with the obsession -Obsessions and compulsion often interfere with normal daily routines -Individuals know that their thoughts are irrational -Common OCD behaviours: cleaning, counting, checking -
What is “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)”?
- An anxiety disorder typically occurring after a traumatic event in which the person felt threat to his/her life or physical integrity; or witnessing an event happening to another person
What are the 3 Core Clusters of PTSD symptoms?
-3 core symptoms clusters: 1) Re-experiencing: through distressing images, thoughts or perceptions, may experience recurrent nightmares, flashbacks and may exhibit extreme stress upon exposure to an event or image that resembles the traumatic event 2) Avoidance: avoid discussing the event altogether or avoid people and places that remind them of the event 3) Persistent Heightened arousal: difficulty sleeping, irritability and angry outbursts, poor concentration, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilence, Additionally: - Impairs social, occupational functioning - Symptoms are present for more than one month
What various interventions are used to treat anxiety disorders?
Psychotherapy (e.g. CBT interventions for panic) Pharmacology - SSRIs - Benzodiazepines - Buspar
Describe the use of SSRIs for treating anxiety dosorders.
-an anti-depressant that has also shown to be effective in lowering anxiety -NOT ADDICTIVE!
Discuss the concerns regarding the use of benzodiazepines in treating anxiety disorders.
-they are HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! -individuals can build up a tolerance to these medications resulting in increased dosing and admin freq
Describe the effects of BuSpar on the individual when used to treat an anxiety disorder.
-NOT ADDICTIVE! -takes 3 weeks to become effective -> pts may become angry and frustrated b/c they do not feel the impacts of medication immediately
