Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
What is the purpose of anxiety?
To anticipate difficult situations and prepare for them
Describe the low road of fear processing
Sensory input enters the thalamus which directly relays to the amygdala. The amgydala outputs the emotional and visceral responses.
Describe the high road of fear processing.
Sensory input enters the thalamus which is then relayed to the cortex. The cortex relays to the amygdala which gives rise to the emotional and visceral outputs
Which road does innate fear use?
The low road
Which road does learned fear use?
The high road
What is the difference between stress and anxiety?
Stress is caused by an existing stressor
Anxiety is stress that continues after the stressor has been removed
When is anxiety classed as a disorder?
When the intensity and duration of the anxiety is not proportional to the stressor
What are 6 examples of anxiety disorders?
Generalised anxiety disorder Phobias Obsessive compulsive disorder Post traumatic stress disorder Panic disorder Social anxiety disorder
What may cause anxiety?
Genetics Brain biochemistry Overactive fight or flight response Life circumstances Personality Drugs or withdrawal Phaechromocytoma
How can anxiety disorders be treated pharmacologically?
Benzodiazepines
Beta blockers
5HT-1a partial agonists
Pregabalin
What is the mechanism of a benzodiazepine?
Binds to alpha-1 GABA subunit to increase sleep duration
What is the mechanism of a beta blocker?
Antagonises the beta adrenoreceptor to reduce somatic symptoms
What is the mechanism of a 5HT-1a partial agonist?
Partially activates 5HT-1a agonists
What is the mechanism of pregabalin?
An analogue of GABA which binds to the alpha-2-delta subunit or calcium voltage gated channels
Give an example of a benzodiazepine
Alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam
