Anxiety Flashcards
What is anxiety?
Feeling when we are worried, tense or afraid – particularly about things that are about to happen, or which we think could happen in the future.
Anxiety is a natural human response when we feel that we are under threat. It can be experienced through our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations
3 types of symptoms associated with anxiety
Psychological, physical, behavioural
3 Main physiological symptoms for anxiety
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
3 Main physical symptoms for anxiety
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches and tension
- Insomnia
What are the 6 types of anxiety disorder?
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Specific Phobias
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Which two anxiety disorders have been moved to their own category?
PTSD and OCD
3 things for diagnosis of anxiety
Most days for 6+ months
Significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas
Not due to general medical condition or substance.
What is the classic stress response?
HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal)
Mechanism of HPA axis
- Hypothalamus send stress signal to the pituitary gland (through CRH hormone)
- Pituitary gland sends the ACTH hormone to the adrenal gland.
- This leads to adrenalin (cortisol) into the blood stream.
What is CRH hormone?
Corticotropin-releasing hormone
What is ACTH hormone?
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
What does release of cortisol cause? (8)
- Mobilisation of energy
- Increased cardiovascular tone
- Suppression of digestion
- Suppression of growth
- Suppression of reproduction
- Enhancement of immune system
- Sharpening of cognition, alertness and pleasure
- Suppression of sexual energy
What is the amygdala in the brain responsible for?
One of the main centres for reactions to threats, fear, and anxiety.
What is cortisol?
A stress hormone
What 3 structures in the brain interact to generate a response to a threat?
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Prefrontal cortex
What is the prefrontal cortex made up of?
Medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex
Which structures project to the hypothalamus to trigger the HPA axis?
Amygdala (main)
Hippocampus
4 types of treatment for anxiety
- Lifestyle change
- Self-help
- Psychotherapy
- Pharmacotherapy
What do you do it treatment are ineffective for anxiety?
- Increase doses
- Combine (treatment types)
- Switch meds
SSRIs
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
SNRIs
Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
TCAs
Tricyclic antidepressants