anxiety (clinical)

Question 1

what part of brain decides whether we need the stress/fear response

Answer 1

amygdala via thalamus

Question 2

what hormones are released in response to the stress/fear

Answer 2

cortisol (from adrenals)

adrenaline

Question 3

what happens in anxiety disorder

Answer 3

exaggerated stress response

Question 4

3 groups of symptoms of anxiety

Answer 4

physical
cognitive
behavioural

Question 5

examples of physical symptoms

Answer 5

sweating 
trembling/tremor
numbness/tingling
hot flushes
muscle tension
dizziness/faint
dry mouth
dysphagia/choking
SOB/palpitations
nausea

Question 6

examples of cognitive symptoms

Answer 6

loss of control 
on edge 
cant concentrate 
derealisation - objects aren't real
depersonalization - feeling distant
racing thoughts
meta-worry

Question 7

behavioural symptoms of anxiety

Answer 7

avoidance 
difficulty sleeping
excessive use of alcohol/drugs 
inability to relax
irritability
seeking reassurance 
checking behaviours

Question 8

what is generalised anxiety disorder

Answer 8

anxiety is:
generalised
persistent
excessive and inappropriate to circumstances

Question 9

time frame for GAD

Answer 9

most days for >6 months

must cause significant distress/impairment in function

Question 10

essential features of panic disorder

Answer 10

recurrent attacks of severe anxiety
unpredictable (not restricted to any situation) - PANIC ATTACKS (last 30-45 mins)
agoraphobia - fear of certain situations

Question 11

what can trigger panic attacks

Answer 11

lactate

re-breathing air (increased CO2)

Question 12

what part of brain is responsible for panic attacks

Answer 12

parahippocampal gyrus in temporal lobe

Question 13

what are the 3 types of phobia

Answer 13

agoraphobia
social phobia
specific phobia

Question 14

persistent fear of one of more social situations where patient is exposed to unfamiliar people or scrutiny

Answer 14

social phobia/social anxiety disorder

Question 15

recurrent obsessional thoughts and/or compulsive acts which are intrusive

Answer 15

OCD

Question 16

describe obsessional thoughts

Answer 16

unpleasant and intrusive

must be resisted

Question 17

describe compulsive acts

Answer 17

repeated rituals or behaviours
patient does not enjoy these
recognise as pointless

Question 18

diagnostic criteria for OCD

Answer 18

present for most days for at least 2 weeks

source of distress and interfering with activities

Question 19

symptoms specific to social phobia

Answer 19

blushing
fear of vomiting
fear of being incontinent