Anxiety

Question 1

what is generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 1

anxiety that is generalised and persistent

Question 2

what are some of the dominant symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 2

nervousness
trembling 
sweating 
palpitations 
dizziness

Question 3

for a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, the symptoms need to be severe enough to be what three things?

Answer 3

long lasting
not controllable
causing distress/impairment in function

Question 4

how long do the symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder have to last before a diagnosis can be made?

Answer 4

most days for at least 6 months

Question 5

what is the typical age of onset of generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 5

20-40

Question 6

who is more commonly affected by generalised anxiety disorder, males or females?

Answer 6

females

Question 7

what is the first line treatment for generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 7

CBT

Question 8

what is the second line treatment for generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 8

SSRIs/SNRIs

Question 9

what is the third line management for generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 9

pregabalin

Question 10

what can be given as short term management for generalised anxiety disorder?

Answer 10

benzodiazepines

Question 11

what is the essential feature of panic disorder?

Answer 11

recurrent and unpredictable attacks of severe anxiety

Question 12

what are the dominant symptoms of panic disorder?

Answer 12

palpitations 
chest pain 
choking sensations 
dizziness 
feelings of unreality

Question 13

name two feelings of unreality

Answer 13

depersonalisation

derealisation

Question 14

what other anxiety disorder can often occur alongside panic disorder?

Answer 14

agoraphobia

Question 15

when is the typical onset of panic disorder?

Answer 15

late adolescence to mid 30’s

Question 16

what does a PET scan show during a panic attack?

Answer 16

increased metabolism in the anterior pole of the temporal lobe

(parahippocampal gyrus)

Question 17

what is the first line management for panic disorder?

Answer 17

CBT

Question 18

what is the second line management for panic disorder?

Answer 18

SSRIs/SNRIs/tricyclics

Question 19

what can be given as short term management of panic disorder?

Answer 19

benzodiazepines

Question 20

what are the three types of phobias?

Answer 20

agoraphobia
social phobia
specific phobia

Question 21

what is agoraphobia?

Answer 21

a cluster of phobias including fears of leaving home, crowds and public places

Question 22

what is specific phobia?

Answer 22

a marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable

cued by the presence of anticipation of a specific object/situation e.g. flying

Question 23

what does exposure to the phobic stimulus provoke in specific phobia?

Answer 23

an immediate anxiety response, similar to a panic attack

Question 24

what is the first line management of specific phobia?

Answer 24

exposure therapy

can add in CBT if needed

Question 25

what is the second line management for specific phobia?

Answer 25

SSRIs/SNRIs if needed

Question 26

what is another name for specific phobia?

Answer 26

simple phobia

Question 27

what is another name for social phobia?

Answer 27

social anxiety disorder

Question 28

what is social phobia?

Answer 28

a persistent fear of social situations

Question 29

what are common symptoms in social phobia?

Answer 29

blushing
shaking
fear of vomiting
urgency/fear or micturition/defaecation

Question 30

what are the possible treatments for social phobia?

Answer 30

CBT
SSRIs/SNRIs
short term benzodiazepines

Question 31

what is obsessive compulsive disorder?

Answer 31

recurrent obsessional thoughts and/or compulsive acts

Question 32

how long must symptoms be present for for a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder?

Answer 32

most days for at least two weeks

Question 33

what are the possible managements for obsessive compulsive disorder?

Answer 33

CBT

SSRIs/clomipramine