Anxiety Flashcards
what is generalised anxiety disorder?
anxiety that is generalised and persistent
what are some of the dominant symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder?
nervousness trembling sweating palpitations dizziness
for a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, the symptoms need to be severe enough to be what three things?
long lasting
not controllable
causing distress/impairment in function
how long do the symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder have to last before a diagnosis can be made?
most days for at least 6 months
what is the typical age of onset of generalised anxiety disorder?
20-40
who is more commonly affected by generalised anxiety disorder, males or females?
females
what is the first line treatment for generalised anxiety disorder?
CBT
what is the second line treatment for generalised anxiety disorder?
SSRIs/SNRIs
what is the third line management for generalised anxiety disorder?
pregabalin
what can be given as short term management for generalised anxiety disorder?
benzodiazepines
what is the essential feature of panic disorder?
recurrent and unpredictable attacks of severe anxiety
what are the dominant symptoms of panic disorder?
palpitations chest pain choking sensations dizziness feelings of unreality
name two feelings of unreality
depersonalisation
derealisation
what other anxiety disorder can often occur alongside panic disorder?
agoraphobia
when is the typical onset of panic disorder?
late adolescence to mid 30’s
what does a PET scan show during a panic attack?
increased metabolism in the anterior pole of the temporal lobe
(parahippocampal gyrus)
what is the first line management for panic disorder?
CBT
what is the second line management for panic disorder?
SSRIs/SNRIs/tricyclics
what can be given as short term management of panic disorder?
benzodiazepines
what are the three types of phobias?
agoraphobia
social phobia
specific phobia
what is agoraphobia?
a cluster of phobias including fears of leaving home, crowds and public places
what is specific phobia?
a marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable
cued by the presence of anticipation of a specific object/situation e.g. flying
what does exposure to the phobic stimulus provoke in specific phobia?
an immediate anxiety response, similar to a panic attack
what is the first line management of specific phobia?
exposure therapy
can add in CBT if needed
what is the second line management for specific phobia?
SSRIs/SNRIs if needed
what is another name for specific phobia?
simple phobia
what is another name for social phobia?
social anxiety disorder
what is social phobia?
a persistent fear of social situations
what are common symptoms in social phobia?
blushing
shaking
fear of vomiting
urgency/fear or micturition/defaecation
what are the possible treatments for social phobia?
CBT
SSRIs/SNRIs
short term benzodiazepines
what is obsessive compulsive disorder?
recurrent obsessional thoughts and/or compulsive acts
how long must symptoms be present for for a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder?
most days for at least two weeks
what are the possible managements for obsessive compulsive disorder?
CBT
SSRIs/clomipramine
