5. Anxiety, Phobia & Stress-Related Disorders Flashcards
What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
A sensation of persistent worry and apprehension about common day problems and events, associated with chest, abdomen, mental state, general symptoms
- “free-floating” anxiety
Common signs and symptoms of GAD
Autonomic
- Palpitations
- Tachycardia
- Diaphoresis
- Dry mouth
- Tremors
Chest/Abdo:
- Chest pain
- SOB
- Nausea
- Stomach churning
- Choking sensations
Mental
- Giddiness
- Derealisation/Depersonalisation
- Fear of losing control and going crazy
- Feelings of death
General
- Numbness/tingling
- Muscle aches
- Restlessness
- Feeling on edge
- Feeling hot or cold
Others
- Persistent irritability
- Poor sleep
- Poor concentration
DSM-5 Criteria for GAD
Individuals must have had experienced excessive anxiety and worries for most everyday events for at least 6 months in duration.
- excessive worries are difficult to control
- cause functional impairment
- associated with at least 3 of the following symptoms:
1. Restlessness
2. Easily tired
3. Attentional and concentration difficulties
4. Muscle tension
5. Sleep difficulties
MR TICS
Muscle tensions
Restlessness
Tired
Irritable
Concentration poor
Sleep difficulties
Differential diagnosis of GAD
Panic disorder
Panic disorder with agoraphobia
Substance-induced anxiety
Hyperventilation syndrome
Stress-related disorder
Phobia
Mixed anxiety and depression
CHECK: Hyperthyroidism
Management of GAD
SSRIs (1st line)
CBT
Panic attack, Panic disorder and agoraphobia (comorbid)
Single attack = Panic attack
-> multiple build up of stress to hit threshold for panic attack
-> activates sympathetic drive
Recurrent and frequent panic attacks over a period of time (episodic) with symptom-free periods between attacks = panic disorder
Common sign and symptoms of panic disorder
Autonomic
- Palpitations
- Tachycardia
- Diaphoresis
- Dry mouth
- Tremors
- Feeling hot and cold
Chest/Abdo:
- Chest pain
- SOB
- Nausea
- Stomach churning
- Choking sensations
Mental
- Giddiness
- Derealisation/Depersonalisation
- Fear of losing control and going crazy
- Feelings of death
General
- Numbness/tingling
- Muscle aches
- Restlessness
- Feeling on edge
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for panic disorder
Sudden onset of intense fear that peaks within mins
+ following symptoms might occur:
Physical symptoms
1. Palpitations
2. Diaphoresis
3. Tremors
4. SOB
5. Chest pain
6. Choking sensations
7. Abdominal discomfort
8. Dizziness
9. Feeling hot or cold
Mental symptoms
1. Derealisation
2. Depersonalisation
3. Feelings of losing control and going crazy
4. Feelings of death
At least one of the attacks must be followed by at least 1 month of either:
1. Persistent concerns about having additional attacks or
2. Marked changes in behaviour in relation to the attacks
For panic disorder, at least one of the panic attacks must be followed by at least 1 month of either:
- Persistent concerns about having additional attacks or
- Marked changes in behaviour in relation to the attacks -> avoidant behaviour
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for agoraphobia
Significant anxiety and fear in at least 2 of the following situations:
+ preoccupation of worries that escape might be difficult / help not available
- Being alone outside of home
- Being in a crowd
- Bring in enclosed space
- Being in open spaces
- Using public transport modalities
+ affected functioning for at least 6 months
+/- panic disorder
Management of panic disorder
SSRIs (1st line)
CBT (2nd line)
*effect of CBT is as efficacious as SSRI
What is social phobia / social anxiety disorder?
Marked fear brought about by social situations (eg. being the focus of attention or fear of behaving in a manner that will be embarrassing), leading to avoidance of being the focus of attention
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for social phobia
Significant anxiety about 1 or more social situations -> worry about being evaluated negatively by others -> tend to avoid these situations
*lasted for at least 6 months + functional impairment
Management for social phobia
SSRIs
- paroxetine
- continued for at least 6 months after recovery
CBT
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Specific Phobia
- Significant anxiety about a particular object or situation
- Encounters with the object or situation always cause marked anxiety
- The specified object or situation is avoided
- The anxieties and worries are excessively out of proportion in consideration of the actual threat posed
At least 6 months + functional impairment
Pathophysiology of OCD
Lesion in the orbital-frontal cortex and basal ganglia