Anxiety Flashcards
What is anxiety?
a normal emotion under circumstances of threat and is thought to be part of the evolutionary fight or flight reaction of survival
Describe some general key points regarding anxiety.
a certain amount of anxiety is considered to be a normal reaction to a stressful situation
-mild-mod anxiety can help focus attention, energy, and motivation
anxiety disorders are amongst the most common mental health disorders and have high comorbidity with mood disorders
chronic anxiety associated with profound functional impairment
When does anxiety become disorder?
when it is overwhelming and affecting function & QoL by causing feelings of helplessness, confusion, and extreme worry that are out of proportion with the seriousness or likelihood of the feared event
What are the shared features amongst anxiety disorders?
excessive fear and anxiety & related behavioral disturbances
Differentiate fear and anxiety.
fear: emotional response to a real or perceived imminent threat
anxiety: anticipation of future threat
In general, how do anxiety disorders differ amongst themselves?
the types of objects or situations that induce fear, anxiety, or avoidance behavior and the associated cognitive ideation
How do anxiety disorders differ from developmentally normative fear?
by being excessive or persisting beyond developmentally appropriate periods
What are the core symptoms of anxiety?
psychological:
-fear/anxiety, worry, apprehension, difficulty concentrating
somatic (physical):
-increase HR, tremor, sweating, GI upset
True or false: most 1st line meds are effective for all anxiety disorders
true
Which brain regions and circuits regulate anxiety and worry?
amygdala: anxiety
cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit: worry
Where is the amygdala located?
almond shaped brain center located near hippocampus
What is the role of the amygdala?
interpret sensory and cognitive information and determine if there will be a fear response
communicates with areas of the prefrontal cortex
-affect response=feelings of fear
-motor response = fight/flight or freeze
Which reciprocal connections regulate the feelings of fear?
the amygdala + the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)
-may be overactivation of these circuits=feelings of fear
Which reciprocal connections regulate the behaviors of avoidance?
amygdala and periaqueductal grey (PAG)
-motor response: freeze or F/F
Activation of which area of the prefrontal cortex results in changes in respiration?
activation of the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) via the amygdala
-can also cause SOB, asthma exacerbation, etc.
Which reciprocal connections regulate the cardiovascular response?
amygdala and locus coeruleus = increased BP and HR
long term activation of this circuit may lead to increased risk of atherosclerosis, ischemia, BP/HR changes, MI, or sudden death
What are the symptoms of anxiety/fear associated with?
malfunctioning of amygdala-centered circuits
Which neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating amygdala-centered circuits?
serotonin
GABA
glutamate
NE
CRF
also voltage-gated ion channels
What is the CSTC linked to?
the prefrontal cortex
What is the CSTC under the control of?
neurotransmitters (like the amygdala)
-5HT, DA, NE, GABA, glutamate
and voltage-gated ion channels
Overactivation of which loop might lead to worry?
CSTC and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)
What is GABA?
key NT for anxiety and the role of anxiolytics
principal inhibitory NT in brain that plays a role in decreased activity of neurons
Which voltage-gated calcium channels are relevant to psychopharmacology?
N and P/Q are subtypes of VSCC
How do gabapentin and pregabalin work for anxiety?
bind to the a2S subunit of the presynaptic N and P/Q VSCC to block release of glutamate when neurotransmission is excessive (amygdala and CTSC loop) to decrease fear and worry
What is an option in non-responding anxiety or in combination with an AD/BZD?
gabapentin and pregabalin
-since different MOA
What is the role of serotonin in anxiety?
key NT innervating the amygdala and CSTC
assists with regulating fear and worry
How do SSRI/SNRIs work for anxiety?
block 5HT re-uptake by blocking 5HT transporter
-5HT assists with regulating fear and worry
What is the MOA of buspirone?
5HT1A agonist
What is the use of buspirone?
effective only in GAD and to potentiate antidepressants
What is the onset of buspirone?
onset similar to AD suggesting mechanism similar to AD
-2 weeks or longer, not useful for acute anxiety
Describe the role of NE in anxiety.
NE is regulator to amygdala and to PFC/thalamus in CSTC circuits by attaching to the a1 and B1 adrenergic receptors
LC increases autonomic activity to trigger fear, panic, anxiety and effects processing in PFC
How is hyperarousal (nightmares) managed?
a1 blockers (prasozin)
How do NE reuptake inhibitors work for anxiety?
symptoms can be worsened at initial dosing with SNRIs but as B1 receptors downregulate fear/worry to improve long term
What should be evaluated for with each anxiety disorder?
suicidal ideation or intent
Which anxiolytics showed delayed onset of action?
serotonergic agents (SSRI, SNRI, TCA)
a2S ligands (pregabalin, gabapentin)
5HT1A agonists (buspirone, SGA)
Which anxiolytics showed immediate onset action?
benzodiazepines
beta-blockers (propranolol, atenolol)
Which anxiolytic agents show intermediate onset of action?
a1 antagonists (prazosin)
What are some considerations to think of for bupropion?
activating
risk of seizures (avoid if hx of seizures, head trauma, bulimia, anorexia, electrolyte disturbances)
What are some considerations to think of for buspirone?
slow onset, modest efficacy
maybe helpfult to augment therapy in those with partial response to antidepressants
avoid if comorbid depression
What are some considerations to think of for citalopram?
lower risk for insomnia, agitation, drug interactions compared to other SSRIs
dose dependent risk of QT prolongation
What are some considerations to think of for duloxetine?
may be useful for comorbid pain
compared to SSRIs:
-increased withdrawal sx if not tapered
-increased insomnia or agitation
avoid if liver disease or heavy EtOH use
What are some considerations to think of with escitalopram?
similar to citalopram
-except QT risk if controversial
What are some considerations to think of with fluoxetine?
more activating than other SSRIs
self-tapering due to long t1/2
drug interactions
What are some considerations to think of with fluvoxamine?
withdrawal sx if not tapered
risk for drug interactions due to inhibition of CYP1A2 and 2C19
What are some considerations to think of with hydroxyzine?
useful for comorbid insomnia
dose-related anticholinergic effects limit clinical use
What are some considerations to think of with imipramine?
anticholinergic
cardiotoxic in overdose
not well tolerated
What are some considerations to think of with mirtazapine?
helpful with comorbid insomnia
lower doses are more sedating
may increase appetite and lead to weight gain
What are some considerations to think of with paroxetine?
compared to other SSRIs
-more sedating
-less agitation
-more constipation
-withdrawal sx if not tapered
may be associated with greater weight gain
concerns for drug interactions
avoid in pregnancy due to cardiac septal effects
What are some considerations to think of with pregabalin?
sedation and dizziness are common
weight gain, especially with long term use
What are some considerations to think of with quetiapine?
concerns for metabolic ADEs
sedation
EPS
What are some considerations to think of with sertraline?
compared to other SSRIs
-insomnia
-agitation
-dizziness
What are some considerations to think of with venlafaxine?
compared to other ADs
-greater risk for insomnia or agitation
-increased BP
possible benefit for comorbid pain
few drug interactions
withdrawal sx if not tapered
better evidence for psychological sx
When is the onset of GAD usually seen?
usually in late adolescents or early adulthood
What is the etiology of GAD?
unknown
likely combined effect of biological and psychological factors
What are some drugs associated with anxiety symptoms?
antidepressants
-SSRI, SNRI, bupropion
corticosteroids
stimulants
-amphetamines, MPH, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine
sympathomimetics
-PSE, PE
What are some potential causes of GAD to keep in mind if suspecting a person has GAD?
medications
natural products
medical conditions
withdrawal (alcohol, sedatives, BZD)
socioeconomic (poor minority classes)
stressful event in susceptible person
What is the key point regarding GAD and co-morbidities?
GAD frequently co-occurs with other mental health disorders which complicates diagnosis and tx
-some studies suggest up to 90% of pts with GAD present with comorbidity
GAD can also co-occur with physical health problems & may exacerbate these physical illnesses and interfere with a persons ability to manage them
-pain, DM, CVD, GI, HA, fatigue
What are some good questions to screen someone for GAD?
in the past several months how frequently have you worried or been anxious about a number of things in your life?
what have you worried about?
do people tell you that you worry too much?
do you think you do?
do you have difficulty controlling your worry such that it keeps you from sleeping or makes you feel physically ill with HAs, stomach trouble, or fatigue?
when you worry do you often…feel restless? get tired easily? feel irritable? feel tense muscles? trouble sleeping?
What are some psychological and cognitive symptoms of GAD?
excessive anxiety
worries that are difficult to control
feeling on edge
poor concentration
restless
irritable
sleep disturbances
What are some physical symptoms of GAD?
fatigue
muscle tension
trembling/shaking
feeling of fullness in throat/chest
sweating
cold, clammy hands
What can GAD lead to in turns of impairment?
social, occupational or other important functional areas
poor coping skills
What are examples of GAD standardized rating scales?
GAD-7
-self rated
-screens for GAD & severity
-brief
HAM-A
-clinician rated
-brief
-assess response to treatment, assess severity of anxiety
What are the goals of therapy for GAD?
acute episode
-decrease severity and duration of anxiety symptoms
-improve overall function
long-term goals
-remission (with minimal/no anxiety sx, no functional impairment, improve QoL)
treat co-morbid conditions including SUD
What are the treatment principles of GAD?
psychotherapy + pharmacotherapy
-psychotherapy is least invasive and safest
-pharm indicated if sx severe enough to produce functional disability
What should be taken into consideration before initiating treatment for GAD?
anticipated AEs
history of prior response in patient or family member
patient preference
cost
What is the non-pharm treatment for GAD?
reduce/avoid alcohol/caffeine/nicotine
avoidance of OTC stimulants & medications known to induce anxiety
exercise
psychotherapy +/- counselling
relaxation techniques
biofeedback
What is the most effective psychological therapy for GAD?
CBT
-underused due to cost, time requirements, limited professionals
-comparable efficacy to meds in acute tx, sustained reduction in anxiety over 6-12 months
What is CBT?
identifies negative thought patterns that provoke anxiety and changes thoughts to be more positive
What are the 1st line treatment options for GAD as per ADAC?
SSRI: escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline
SNRI: duloxetine, venlafaxine
pregabalin
What are the 2nd line treatment options for GAD as per ADAC?
BDZ (short term): alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam
bupropion
buspirone
hydroxyzine
imipramine
quetiapine
vortioxetine