Anxiety Flashcards
which part of the brain assess the normal stress response
amygdala
which part of the brain is overactivated in anxiety
amygdala
over what age do people present with anxiety
> 18yo
presentation of anxiety (10)
sweating trembling tingling - from hyperventilation dizziness palpitations chest pain hypervigilant worrier - worries about everything lump in throat sensation = decreased appetite = weight loss
what are the types of anxiety (4)
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
panic disorder
phobias
OCD
triggers of generalized anxiety disorder
no specific triggers
diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder
every other day for 6 months
not controllable
causing loss of function
triggers of panic attacks
no specific triggers
presentation of panic attacks
spikes of immense anxiety for <10 mins generally okay (other wise not anxious), but severe when they occur
phobia definition
irrational fear with a specific trigger
agoraphobia trigger
leaving home (‘housebound wife’)
public places
travelling alone
being in large groups of people
how do people with agoraphobia deal with it
don’t leave house
internet shopping
social phobia/social anxiety disorder definition
fear of social/performance situations bc of embarrassment
fear of being under scrutiny
is social phobia associated with being in large groups
no
when does social phobia usually present
childhood (most others are early adulthood)
what is significant about simple/specific phobias
there is a specific trigger
odonotophobia
fear of dentist
arachnophobia
fear of spiders
coulrophobia
fear of clowns
when does specific/simple phobia present
childhood (most others are early adulthood)
how does treatment of specific/simple phobias differ to other phobias/anxiety
graded exposure
in OCD is there though insertions (passivity phenomena)
no - thoughts are their own
do people with OCD find their rituals enjoyable
no
are the repeated rituals in OCD purposeful
no usually pointless things they are doing
diagnosis of OCD
compulsive acts and obsessive thoughts
occurs most days for 2 weeks
causes them distress/not enjoyable
interferes with normal functioning
treatment for OCD (3)
SSRIs eg fluoxetine
tricyclic eg clomipramine
CBT
SSRIs + CBT + ERP
first line general treatment for anxiety disorders
psychoeducation
second line general treatment for anxiety disorder
CBT
behavioral therapy
SSRI eg fluoxetine
benzodiazepines eg lorazepam
if you prescribe benzodiazepines, how long can you keep them on it for
2-4 weeks (short term only)
treatment for tremor/palpitations/sweating in anxiety disorders
beta blockers eg propranolol
how does benzodiazepines work
what do they cause (4)
enhance GABAa = inhibits post synaptic potential = less APs = calming effects
reduce anxiety
reduce aggression
hypnosis/sedation
muscle relaxation
what happens if you use benzos for >4 weeks
dependency
