Anxiety Flashcards
Whole health begins with what?
A healthy mind.
Why is it important to first take care of yourself?
So that you can take care of others.
Anxiety, in small doses, is helpful to live life well, when does anxiety become a problem?
When it overtakes the ability to function normally.
What are the three types of anxiety orders that we are discussing?
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
- separation anxiety
- panic disorder
What neurotransmitters are involved with anxiety?
GABA, norepinephrine, serotonin
Who can anxiety disorders affect?
People of all ages
Can medical problems cause symptoms of anxiety disorders?
Yes.
What is the primary symptom of anxiety disorders?
“Free floating anxiety” - dont know why they are anxious
What factors affect the pathophysiology and etiology of anxiety disorders?
Biological, genetic, and environmental factors.
What are the neurobiological theories of anxiety disorders?
-role of the brain (each part of the lambic system plays a part)
What is the Amygdala?
The “emotional brain”
What is the hippocampus?
The part that stores memory related to fear
What is the locus coeruleus?
Stimulates arousal.
What is the hypothalamus?
Activates the entire response
What is the thalamus?
Integrates all sensory stimuli
What are the nuerochemical theories of anixiety disorders?
Communication with the brain occurs through action of the neurotransmitters.
What are the neurotransmitters whos action causes the brain to communicate?
GABA, Norepinephrine, serotonin,
What is GABA?
Neurotransmitter that decreases neuronal excitability.
What is Norepinephrine?
A stress hormone; excitatory
What is serotonin?
A hormone that gives a sense of well-being
True or false.
A lot of psych meds use norepinephrine and serotonin.
True
What are the psychosocial theories?
Anxiety is a sign of internal conflict resulting from threatened emergence of repressed emotions
What are the behavior theories?
Faulty thinking and behavior are learned responses to stressors and can be unlearned,
What are genetic theories?
Genetic predisposition, family history
What are the humanistic theories or anxiety disorders?
Various causes interact to produce complex of symptoms.
What are the risk factors of anxiety disorders?
- childhood adversity
- family incidence
- social factors
- serious or chronic illness
- traumatic events
- personality factors
- multiple stressors
What are the risk factors of anxiety disorders for children?
- being female
- familial predisposition
- socioeconomic factors
What are the risk factors of anxiety disorders for adults?
- cognitive, chronic physical impairments (ex: early Alzheimer’s )
- significant emotional loss
- lower economic
- unmarried
What are the ways you can prevent anxiety?
-being aware of what predisposed the anxiety
—keep track of patterns
—seek help early
-avoid unhealthy substances like ETOH, illegal drugs, nicotine, caffeine
What are the clinical manifestations of a mild anxiety disorder?
- increase in sensory perception, arousal
- increase in alertness, motivation
- restlessness, irritability, sleeplessness
What are the clinical manifestations of moderate anxiety disorders?
- narrowing of perceptual field, attention span
- increased restlessness, respiration’s, sweating
- discomfort, irritability with others
What are the clinical manifestations with moderate anxiety disorders?
- perceptual field greatly reduced
- difficulty following directions
- feelings of dread, horror
- need to relieve anxiety
- headaches, dizziness
- nausea, trembling, insomnia,
- palpations, tachycardia, hyperventilation
In the clinical manifestations of panic can you focus?
no
In the clinical manifestations of panic, what happens to your perception?
It become distorted.
In the clinical manifestations of panic, what do you feel?
Terror, doom
In the clinical manifestations of panic, how can your behavior be described?
Bizarre
In the clinical manifestations of panic, what happens to the pupils?
They dilate
In the clinical manifestation of panic, is sweating often present?
Yes,
What does diaphoresis mean?
Sweating.
In the clinical manifestation of panic, what two opposites may be present?
Immobility and hyperactivity
In the clinical manifestation of pallor, how does the body react visually?
Trembling, sleeplessness, palpitations, pallor
In the clinical manifestations of panic, what are the two things that start with “inco”?
Incoherence and muscular incordination
What are the clinical manifestations of GAD?
- Pervasive apprehension, worry (FOMO)
- excessive anxiety for at least 6 months
- difficulty relaxing, fatigue, poor concentration
- irritability, muscle tension, GI issues
How does GAD present in children?
- intense worry over a long period of time
- significant distress
What is Separation anxiety disorder?
An extreme state of uneasiness with being separated from familiar people.
Most common type of separation anxiety in manifested by whom?
Children
When a child presents with Seperation anxiety what do they refuse to do?
Sleep alone, attend school, more severe than normal seperation anxiety.
How long must symptoms last to be diagnosed with a seperation anxiety disorder?
Fear symptoms must last at least 4 weeks.
What is a panic disorder?
Anxiety disorder characterized by panic attacks
How long will a panic attack last?
Anywhere from a few moments to an hour
What often is a partner to anxiety?
Depression.
Why is it very important to help people through panic attacks?
Because there is often much more going on then we can see.
Diagnoses of anxiety disorders is based on what?
Observation, history, physical
True or false:
There are no lab test to diagnose anxiety disorders.
True. Tests simply rule out physical issues.
What are anxiolytics?
Antianxiety medication.
What do anxiolytics have the ability to do?
Relieve anxiety.
Are anxiolytics effective?
Yes.
When should you begin to use anxiolytics?
When anxiety begins to significantly affect daily activities.
What are the medications of choice for anxiety disorders?
Antidepressants
Is antianxiety medication used sparingly?
Yes. Professionals prefer to use CBT.
What type of antianxiety medication is recommended?
Benzodiazepines
With benzodiazepines, what can happen if the drug is stopped abruptly?
The pt may experience withdrawal symptoms.
After beginning psychotherapy why is pharmacological steps taken?
To control symptoms while patients is in therapy
What are two other drugs beside anti-depressants and antianxiety medications can you take for anxiety disorders?
Beta blockers and antipsychotics
What is the primary type of medication to reduce symptoms of panic and anxiety?
SSRI’s
What is the prototype antidepressant drug?
Escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro)
Wha is the action of escitalopram oxalate?
Increases availability of serotonin as specific postsynaptic receptor sites located within the CNS.
What is the primary use of escitalopram oxalate?
Generalized anxiety and depression
What are the adverse affects of Escitalopram oxalate??
Dizziness, nausea, insomnia, somnolence, confusion, seizures
What is the prototype drug of Benzodiazepines?
Lorazepam
What is Lorazepam’s action?
Binds to GABA receptor-chloride channel molecule, which intensifies GABA affects
What is the primary use of lorazepam?
Anxiety disorders and insomnia
What are the adverse affects of lorazepam?
Drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory depression
What are some nonpharmacological therapies used for anixiety disorders?
CBT, herbal preparations (oils), massage, therapeutic light therapy, relaxation techniques, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, avoid caffeine.
Anxiety in men is normally resolved in how long?
Within one year
Anxiety in women is normally resolved within how long?
Within 4 years
What are some interventions you can do to reduce the severity of symptoms:
- establishing rapport
- communicating therapeutically
- enhancing coping skills (identifying maladaptive ones)
- promoting health
- providing a safe environment
