Anxiety Flashcards
What is anxiety?
Emotional response to a threat
What is depression?
Emotional response to loss
What are the two broad temporal forms anxiety can take?
Chronic
Episodic
What are the three chronic forms of chronic anxiety?
Generalised anxiety disorder
PTSD
OCD
What is generalised anxiety disorder?
Persistent anxiety
What sex is more affected by GAD?
Women
What are the three categories of symptoms seen in GAD?
Somatic
Behavioural
Psychological
What are some somatic symptoms of GAD?
Headache Presyncope SOB -> Hyperventilation -> Paresthesia Tremors Palpitations and chest pain GI upset- N+V, diarrhoea, 'Butterflies' and dry mouth Urinary frequency/urgency Restlessness/insomnia Globus hystericus- 'Lump in throat'
What are some behavioural symptoms of GAD?
Trigger avoidance Withdrawal DSH Self medication- Alcohol/drugs Reassurance seeking
What are some psychological symptoms of GAD?
Fearful anticipation or dread Irritability Worrying/repetitive/intrusive thoughts Poor concentration Memory issues Hypervigilance Depersonalization/detachment
How do you treat GAD?
Listen to them Exercise Meditation CBT Anxiolytics- Paroxetine Pharma- SSRI, BB, Bzd, Venlafaxine
What is the course of GAD?
Generally resolves or lessens >50YO
What is PTSD?
Protracted response to stressful event or situation of exceptionally threatening nature. Will affect anyone in that situation.
WHat things can prolong the course of PTSD?
Personality, previous unresolved traumas, other psychiatric illness
What are some symptoms of PTSD?
Flashbacks Insomnia with nightmares Emotional blunting/numbness Extreme anxiety at triggers Avoidance of triggers Emotional detachment from others Hypervigilance Extreme startle response
What can flashbacks trigger in PTSD?
Intrusive memories
What does emotional blunting/numbness alternate with in PTSD?
Extreme anxiety
What does extreme anxiety alternate with in PTSD?
Emotional blunting/numbness
What are some complications of PTSD?
Depression
Substance misuse
What is the treatment of acute PTSD?
Watch and wait
2/3 resolve in a year
How do you treat chronic PTSD?
Antidepressants- Paroxetine and Olanzapine
Psychotherapy
What antidepressants are used in PTSD?
Paroxetine
Olanzapine
What is the progression of PTSD?
Acute stress reaction (48h)
Acute stress disorder (4w)
Acute PTSD (3m)
Chronic PTSD (>3m)
How long does the acute stress reaction last for?
48h
How long does an acute stress disorder last for?
4w
How long does acute PTSD last for?
3m
How long does it need to be for chronic PTSD?
> 3m
What are some symptoms of OCD?
Obsessional ruminations
Compulsive rituals- Some need to be repeated a certain number of times
Constant and non-reassurable worry
Thought-action fusion
What are obsessional ruminations?
Time consuming and intrusive so as to interfere with daily life.
Often out of character thoughts such as violence or sexual
What are compulsive rituals?
Time consuming and intrusive so as to interfere with daily life.
Some need to be repeated a certain number of times.
What is thought-action fusing?
Thinking something = doing it
What is primary OCD?
OCD with no underlying cause?
What is secondary OCD?
OCD with underlying cause?
What conditions can cause OCD?
Depression
Tourette’s
Basal Ganglia Dysfunction- Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Trauma
What are some symptoms of mild OCD?
Over-conscientiousness Tidiness Punctuality Inflexibility Perfectionist
What can precipitate mild OCD?
Stress
Is there a genetic link to OCD?
Probably yes
What basal ganglia dysfunction can cause secondary OCD?
Parkinson’s
Huntington’s
Trauma