Anxiety Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of anxiety?
A
A feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome, nervous disorder marked by excessive uneasiness and apprehension
2
Q
How common is anxiety?
A
Common
3
Q
What is the pathology of anxiety?
A
• Many different types: General anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD
4
Q
What are the risk factors/aetiology of anxiety?
A
- Ages 35-54
- Acute reaction – life crisis
- Adjustment reaction – develops days of weeks after a stressful situation
- PTSD – severe trauma
- Phobia
- Social situations
- Agoraphobia
- Confined places
- Animals
- Injections
- Being sick/chocking
- Being alone etc.
5
Q
What are the signs/symptoms of anxiety?
A
- Worry/apprehension/fear/persistent nervousness/fear they can’t cope/fear they are dying – repetitive
- Poor concentration
- Irritability
- Restless/hypervigilance
- Unrealistic ideas of danger
- Muscle tension/trembling/weakness
- Headaches/Pains
- Palpitations
- Breathing difficulties
- Dry mouth
- Loose stools/nausea/vomiting
- Urinating more frequently
- Dizzy
- Numbness/tingling
- Sleep disturbances
- Sweating
- Panic attacks
6
Q
What diseases present similarly to anxiety?
A
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
- Asthma/COPD
- Drug and alcohol abuse/withdrawal
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Tumours e.g. phaeochromocytoma
7
Q
What are the pharmacological treatments for anxiety?
A
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiaxepines
- Buspirone
- Beta blockers
8
Q
What are the non pharmacological treatments for anxiety?
A
- Talking therapies
- Relaxation
- Counselling
- Guided self help
- CBT
