9 - Anxiety Flashcards
Anxiety is a ____ response, it’s part of all of us
natural
When is anxiety considered a disorder?
Severity or Persistence MAY indicate a disorder
Adequate Tx of anxiety is ___
rare
Anxiety is often associated with what other comorbidities ?
depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
What types of things do we look at when differentiating situational anxiety vs an anxiety disorder ?
- Type of anxiety disorder
- Psychiatric and medical disorders
- Medication history
- History of anti-anxiety drug response
- Duration and acuity of symptoms
- Expectation of patient for recovery
- Stressors
What medications are associated with anxiety?
1) CNS Stimulants: amphetamines, caffeine, cocaine, red bull, methylphenidate, ephedrine, herbals, steroids
2) Withdrawal of CNS depressants: ethanol, anxiolytics, narcotics, sedatives
3) Adverse effects of other meds: anticholinergics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, thyroid supplements, OTC stimulants
Describe the diagnostic criteria for GAD (general anxiety disorder)
A) Excessive anxiety and worry occupying more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of activities
B) Difficulty in controlling the worry
C) Anxiety + worry associated with 3 or more of:
- restlessness, or on edge
- easily fatigued
- difficulty in concentration
- irritability
- muscle tension
- sleep disturbance
D) Anxiety or worry not confined to another psychiatric illness
E) Constant worry causing significant distress and impairment in social and occupational functioning
F) Excessive anxiety and worry not caused by a drug substance, medical disorder, or psychiatric disorder
Onset of primary and secondary GAD
primary - early 20’s
secondary - later onset
GAD:
is it sudden or gradual onset?
gradual
GAD:
Describe the course of this disorder
- chronic with multiple exacerbations
- rarely stable, waxing/waning
GAD:
Acute goals?
reduce the severity and duration of the anxiety symptoms and to improve overall function
GAD:
What is recovery?
minimal or no anxiety symptoms, no functional impairment…‘feeling of control’
GAD:
What is first line for acute anxiety?
Benzo
GAD:
What is first line for chronic anxiety?
antidepressant
GAD:
What antidepressant Tx is effective for GAD, a ___ month continuation is generally advised
12
GAD:
Non-pharms ?
- psychoeducation, short-term counselling, stress management, psychotherapy, meditation, exercise
- avoid caffeine, alcohol, substances
- hopefully minimize PRN benzo use
- CBT very effective once realistic (once patient is able to process it in an objective way and if the CBT resource is accessible to the patient)
- Combo of pharm and non-pharm is the best
Describe what CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is
- Our thoughts (not external events) are what determine the way we feel
- Not the situation, but the perception of the situation that determine feelings
GAD:
Briefly describe the pharmacotherapy
Benzos: rapid relief of acute symptoms of anxiety, they are effective, safe, and commonly prescribed
Antidepressants: first line for long-term disorder management
Alternatives: Buspirone, Hydroxyzines, Pregabalin, Antipsychotics (SGAs)
Will discuss Benzos first
Describe the selection of an ideal Benzo
- Quick, effective onset
- OD dosing is desirable
- Little cognitive effects
- Little hangover effects
- No tolerance
- No dependence
- No interaction with CNS depressants
- No effect on respiratory system
Will also consider:
- Cost
- Onset
- Duration
- Metabolism
- Interactions
Are any benzo’s better than others?
Most are equally effective as anxiolytics
What type of symptoms are benzo’s more effective int treating ?
somatic/autonomic symptoms
physical symptoms such as GI, fatigue, insomnia
BZD:
Increased _____ solubility correlates with rapid absorption
lipid
BZD:
Describe the accumulation
- consider half-life of parent and metabolite
- loraz/alpraz: less accumulation with multiple dosing
- loraz/oxaz: favoured metabolism (glucuronide)
- shorter half life may cause increased rebound anxiety
BZD:
Describe an adequate therapeutic trial
4 weeks of diazepam 40mg daily or its equivalent
BZD:
CPS monographs suggest what duration?
2-3 weeks
- should not exceed 4-6 months in general
- for recurrent symptoms: intermittent therapy in 3-4 week “pulses”
- for persistent symptoms: continuous treatment may be required
What are some adverse effects of BZD ?
1) CNS depression:
- sedation
- ataxia, incoordination
- anterograde amnesia
- paradoxical excitement, aggressiveness
- confusion
2) Respiratory depression (rarely serious unless taken with opiates)
3) CV depression
4) Tolerance
5) Dependence
6) Crosses placental barrier
7) Excreted into breast milk
Describe the drug interaction between:
BZD and CNS depressants
Increase sedation
List the drugs that will increase BZD levels
- CYP 3A4 inhibitors
- including erythromycin, fluvoxamine, other SSRI’s
- grapefruit juice
- amiodarone, protease inhibitors
- ketoconazole, intraconazole
List the drugs that will decrease BZD levels
- carbamazepine, ritonavir
- rifampin, rifabutin, st. john’s wort
- smoking
What are some common symptoms of BZD withdrawal?
- anxiety
- insomnia
- restlessness
- agitation
- muscle tension
- irritability
What are some less frequent symptoms of BZD withdrawal?
- nausea
- malaise
- blurred vision
- diaphoresis
- nightmares
- depression
- ataxia
What are some rare symptoms of BZD withdrawal ?
- tinnitus
- confusion
- paranoid delusion
- hallucination
- seizures (3 days - 1 week post d/c)
- psychosis
- delerium
- myoclonus
When would BZD withdrawal symptoms be increased ?
In the incidence of:
- regularly used for >3-4 months duration
- “higher” doses were used for long period (>15 mg diazepam)
- sudden cessation of the med (no tapering)
- short-acting BZD used (t1/2 < 24 hours)
- previous history of dependence on drugs or alcohol
When does BZD withdrawal occur?
few hours to a few days after d/c
How do you taper BZD for longer-term use ?
- decrease dose by 10-25% every 3-7 days
- for very high doses - taper over 6 months
- can switch to a longer half-life agent like Diazepam (if they are failing when trying to withdraw from a short half-life agent)
Describe the patient education of BZD
- What it is used for and what symptoms will be treated … useful for symptom reduction
- Anticipated duration of treatment
- Potential adverse effects and how to handle them
- Drug interactions with CNS depressants
- Do not decrease, increase or discontinue suddenly without consultation with health care provider !!!
GAD:
_______ are first line for long term treatment
antidepressants
GAD:
Antidepressants are more effective than BZD in treating the _____ symptoms
psychic symptoms (like apprehension and worry)
GAD:
Onset of response of antidepressants?
2-4-6 weeks
GAD:
Duration of antidepressants if responsive ?
at least 12 months
GAD:
Which antidepressants do we use for anxiety?
SSRIs (paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram)
SNRIs (venlaflaxine, duloxetine)
TCAs (imipramine)
GAD:
Is there a clear fist choice of agent of antidepressant ?
Nope
Describe Buspirone
5-HT 1A partial agonist
-Binds to pre and post-synaptic receptors to serotonergic transmission (increases 5-HT)
What are some advantages of buspirone ?
- No abuse, dependence or withdrawal symptoms
- No interaction with alcohol
- Fewer CNS side effects than benzos
- Fewer GI effects than SSRI