Anxiety Flashcards
role of amygdala
plays a role in processing fearful and threatening stimuli by processing data and sending info to:
-Hypothalamus
-Periaqueductal gray (PAG)
-Hipppocampus
-Cingulate gyrus
Role of hypothalamus in anxiety?
Amygdala processes sensory data and passes it on to the hypothalamus
-Hypothalamus mediates body stress response by releasing CRH, causing pituitary to release ACTH and adrenals to produce cortisol
Role of periaqueductal gray in anxiety?
Amygdala processes sensory data and passes it onto the periaqueductal grey (PAG)
Perqueductal grey mediates fight or flight response
Role of hippocampus in anxiety?
Amygdala proccesses sensory data and passes it onto the hippocampus
Hippocampus responsible for memory and learning
Role of cingulate gyrus in anxiety?
Amygdala processes sensory data and passes it onto the cingulate cortex
Cingulate cortex is responsible for mediating emotions of anxiety
what is an anxiolytic?
Drug used to relieve anxiety
what is Generalised anxiety disorder?
anxiety that is generalized and persistent but not restricted to, or even strongly predominating in any particular environmental circumstances
who is GAD more common in?
20-40
2 x more common in females
90% co morbid with other psychiatric disorders e.g. depression, substance abuse, other anxiety disorders
symptoms of GAD?
variable
-Persistent nervousness, trembling, muscular tensions, sweating, light headedness, palpitations, dizziness and epigastric discomfort
GAD management?
CBT
1st= SSRI (e.g. citalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine)
2nd= offer another SSRI or SNRI (duloxetine, venlafaxine)
Short term use= benzodiazepines (2-4 weeks)
what is panic disorder?
-Recurrent attacks of severe anxiety (panic), which are not restricted to any particular situation or set of circumstances and are therefore unpredictable
-Anxiety around further panic attacks
biology of panic attacks?
Can be triggered by infusions of lactate or by re-breathing air
who more commonly experiecnes panic disorder?
Late teens- mid 30s
Comorbid with other anxiety disorders, depression, drug and alcohol misuse
May occur with or without agoraphobia (50-70%)
mangement of panic disorder?
Self help + CBT
1st = SSRI
2nd= imipramine, clomipramine (tricyclics)
3rd= tricyclics, SNRI
Continue treatment for 6 months after feeling better
what should be avoided in panic disorder?
propanolol, buspirone, buproprione