Anxiety & Adjustment Disorders Flashcards
Autonomic sx of anxiety?
Palpitations, perspiration, dizziness, mydriasis, GI disturbances, urinary urgency and frequency
Also tingling in peripheral extremities, SOB/choking sensation
Medical causes of anxiety disorders
- Hyperthyroidism
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Hypoxia
- Neuo (epilepsy, brain tumors, MS)
- CVD
- Anemia
- Pheochromocytoma
- Hypoglycemia
Medication or substance abuse causes of anxiety disorders?
- Caffeine
- Amphetamines
- Alcohol/sedative withdrawal
- Mercury or arsenic toxicity
- Organophosphate or benzene toxicity
- Penicillin
- Sulfonamides
- Sympathomimetics
- Antidepressants
Time frame for panic attack? Other stuff?
Peak in several minutes and subside within 25 min, rarely lasting past 1 hour.
“Sudden rush of fear”, unexpected OR provoked by specific triggers. Usually the first episode is unexpected; subsequent ones may be spontaneous or assoc with specific situations
DSM-IV criteria for panic attack?
Discrete pd of intense fear/discomfort with at least 4:
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Shaking
- SOB
- Choking sensation
- Chest pain (many think it’s an MI)
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- DEPERSONALIZATION
- Fear of “going crazy”
- Fear of dying
- Numbness or tingling
- Chills or hot flushes
DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder?
- Spontaneous recurrent panic attacks (see list of sx) with NO OBVIOUS precipitant
- At least one of the attacks has been followed by a minimum of 1 month of:
- Persistent concern about having another
- Worry about the implications of the attack (Am I crazy)
- Changing your behavior (avoiding situations you think provoke attacks)
ALWAYS SPECIFY WITH OR WITHOUT AGORAPHOBIA
Neuro for cause of panic disorder?
Inc norepinephrine activity, decreased serotonin and GABA activity
Research: ANS, CNS, and CBF dyrregulation
Conditions associated with panic disorder and agoraphobia
Major depression (40-80%)
Substance dependence (20-40%)
Social and specific phobias
OCD
Panic disorder treatment?
Benzos (only short course IF necessary) then taper as SSRI treatment is started. Start SSRI as low dose then increase slowly bc otherwise drug can CAUSE ANXIETY sx.
Long term use of paroxetine and sertraline. Need higher doses than for depression.
8-12 months at least
Beta blockers NOT as effective as benzos in controlling the anxiety sx.
Agoraphobia DSM-IV? Rx?
All of:
- Anxiety about being in places or situations where escape could be difficult or help may not be readily available in event of panic attack
- Situations are avoided; endured with severe stress; faced only with companion
- Can’t be explained by another disorder
50-75% also have coexisting panic disorder
SSRIs
Specific phobias DSM-IV? Social phobia?
All of:
- Persistent excessive fear brought on by situation or object
- Exposure brings immediate anxiety response
- Patient RECOGNIZES fear as excessive
- Situation avoided if possible or tolerated with intense anxiety
- If under age 18 must have lasted at least 6 months
Social phobia is the same criteria except related to social situations
Most common mental disorder in USA?
PHOBIAS
Onset of phobias?
Very variable, can be as early as 5 as old as 35 for situational fears
Average age is mid-teens
Women 2x for SPECIFIC PHOBIA
M=F for social phobia
Rx for performance anxiety?
Beta blockers
Rx for specific phobia?
Systemic desensitization (with or without hypnosis) and supportive psychotherapy
Short course of benzos or beta blockers during desensitization for autonomic sx IF needed