Anxiety Flashcards
the experience of anxiety has 2 components, what are they
-awareness of physiological sensations
-awareness of being nervous or frightened
how does anxiety differ from fear
fear is in response to overt danger, anxiety is a response to the anticipation of threat
what causes the characteristic physical manifestations of anxiety
effects on the autonomic nervous system
what is required to meet diagnostic requirements for panic disorder
recurrent unexpected panic attacks
what is the fear of agoraphobia related to
fear of places that escape may be difficult in the event that panic attacks or anxiety symptoms develop
what are common feared situations in agoraphobia?
open spaces
confined spaces
crowds
fear in specific phobia
specific, intense, and out of proportion with the actual threat that usually occurs immediately after exposure
how long do specific phobia symptoms have to be present for diagnosis
6 months
what is the fear in social anxiety disorder related to
fear of embarrassment that may occur rather than fear of the actual situation
characterize the anxiety/worry in GAD
it is excessive, related to several events/activities most of the time for at least 6 months
somatic symptoms that often accompany anxiety in GAD
muscle tension, irritability, difficulty sleeping, restlessness
objective rating scales for anxiety
-Beck anxiety inventory (BAI)
-hospitalized anxiety and depression scale (HADS)
-generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7)
-state-trait anxiety inventory
endocrine disorders associated with panic attacks
hypo- and hyperthyroidism
hyperparathyroidism
pheochromocytoma
what is the first-line treatment for anxiety disorders
SSRIs
what are some non-SSRIantidepressants that can be useful in anxiety disorders
venlafaxine, mirtazapine, TCAs
what are some anxiety disorders treated with venlafaxine
panic disorder
GAD
social anxiety disorder
when is the use of benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety appropriate
-short-term at the beginning of therapy until SSRI takes effect
-for use during acute exacerbations
what else can be used for acute treatment other than benzodiazepines
hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
what is first-line treatment for panic disorder
venlafaxine
what is second line therapy for panic disorder
mirtazapine
what is first line therapy for specific phobias
psychotherapy
what is the main goal of medication treatment in agoraphobia
treat comorbid panic attacks
what are the two main foci of cognitive therapy for anxiety disorders
-instruction about patient’s false belief that mild bodily sensations are impending panic attacks
-information about panic attacks (time-limited and not life-threatening)
what is the underlying assumption of behavioral therapies
meaningful change can occur without developing psychological insight into underlying causes
what type of therapy is specifically good for social anxiety disorder
interpersonal skills training and interpersonal psychotherapy
what is the therapist’s role in supportive psychotherapy
promote adaptive coping by using psychodynamic concepts and the therapeutic alliance to assist in reality testing and possibly behavioral advice
