anxiety and insomnia: pathophysiology and pharmacology Flashcards
what is eustress?
acute stress
what is physiological stress?
the body’s response to an external pressure
what is anxiety?
Psychological response to a perceived threat
what is distress?
chronic stress
what is generalised anxiety disorder?
Excessive and persistent anxiety/worry for more than 6 months
what is obsessive compulsive disorders?
- obsessive repetitive thoughts which are often negative
- accompanied with compulsive behaviours providing temporary relief
what is panic disorder?
- Sudden unexpected panic attacks
- Palpitations, tremor dizzy chest pains
- fear of certain places can result in phobic avoidance = Agoraphobia
what are phobic disorders?
An excessive fear that is disproportionate to the specific situation
Generally predictable - thus phobic avoidance `
what is post traumatic stress disorder?
Onset delayed weeks to months following an intense traumatic experience
Re-experience of trauma
what three systems are involved in anxiety?
- CNS
- ANS
- Endocrine system
what is the role of the amygdala in the stress response?
- it integrates information about threat
- then appraises the new stimulus
- then coordinates the behavioural response, the autonomic response and the endocrine response
what happens to the 5-HT1A receptor binding in anxiety disorders?
there is decreased binding
what are the 2 core symptoms of anxiety disorders
- fear
- avoidance
what happens to the GABA receptor binding in anxiety disorders?
there is reduced binding
what pathway is active whilst awake?
The Ascending Arousal Pathway:
-the Locus coeruleus, Raphe and Tuberomammillary nucleus.
what pathway is inhibited for sleep?
the ascending arousal pathway
what impact does insomia have?
- reduced quality of life
- increased risk of accidents
what can cause insomnia?
- stress
- psychiatric illness
- medical illness
- medications/drugs
what are the three main neurotransmitters in the ascending arousal pathway?
- Histamine from the Tuberomammillary nucleus
- Serotonin (5-HT) from Raphe
- Noradrenaline from Locus coeruleus
first part of sleep is called what?
slow wave sleep
second part of sleep is called what?
rapid eye movement
what does the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) do?
releases GABA which inhibits the arousal pathway.
-however it is not active when awake.