anxiety disorders

Question 1

anxiety disorders definition

Answer 1

a group of disorders characterized by abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety

Question 2

60% of people with anxiety disorders have co-morbid ?

Answer 2

depression

Question 3

common anxiety disorders

Answer 3

• generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• panic disorder
• phobias

Question 4

anxiety disorder diagnosis process

Answer 4

• full biopsychosocial assessment
• description of symptoms and time preceding onset of symptoms (life or recent events, triggers)
• frequency/duration
• differential diagnosis (physical illness, paranoia, substance use)

Question 5

common anxiety symptoms

Answer 5

• pallor, increase/decrease in temperature, fatigue, inability to relax, nausea, shaking
• feel like they are going to have a heart attack or die
• fight, flight, freeze response

Question 6

GAD

Answer 6

• characterized by non-specific and persistent fear or worry in many situations with no obvious cause
• worrying about small decisions or trivial problems

Question 7

GAD is the most common ? in ? group

Answer 7

• most common type of anxiety disorder
• in older adults

Question 8

to diagnose GAD, symptoms must occur…

Answer 8

• most of the time
• 2+ weeks

Question 9

phobias are more common in ? group

Answer 9

young adults and kids

Question 10

GAD symptoms

Answer 10

• restlessness
• fatigue
• excessive anxiety and worry
• increased muscle aches/soreness
• impaired concentration
• irritability
• difficulty sleeping

Question 11

less common GAD symptoms that overlap with depression

Answer 11

• memory impairment
• reductions in cognitive processing speeds

Question 12

GAD can cause ?

Answer 12

• panic attacks
• not a requirement for diagnosis

Question 13

is there a genetic predisposition to GAD

Answer 13

evidence suggests yes

Question 14

panic disorder

Answer 14

• fear or discomfort that presents suddenly and peaks quickly (within minutes)
• recurrent panic symptoms without a clear trigger

Question 15

recurrent panic attacks

Answer 15

• brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension
• can have several in one day
• often confused with a heart attack

Question 16

panic attacks usually have a common ?

Answer 16

trigger for each person

Question 17

phobias don’t always require ?

Answer 17

formal treatment (can usually be avoided)

Question 18

phobias

Answer 18

• fear and anxiety triggered by a specific situation
• anticipate terrifying consequences of facing their phobia
• realize their fear is not proportional
• overwhelming fear that can prevent someone from leading a full life

Question 19

phobia prevalence

Answer 19

5-12%

Question 20

most common phobia

Answer 20

social anxiety

Question 21

social anxiety

Answer 21

• intense fear and avoidance of social situations
• fear of public humiliation, embarrassment, scrutiny, social interaction
• can be linked to specific events
• blushing, sweating, difficulty speaking

Question 22

in social anxiety, avoidance can lead to ?

Answer 22

isolation

Question 23

social anxiety vs. agoraphobia

Answer 23

on a plane, fear of small talk vs. being trapped

Question 24

hallmark of social anxiety

Answer 24

the person is worried about being judged

Question 25

anxiety disorder treatment

Answer 25

- medication - CBT and psychological approaches - social prescribing - self help groups - exercise (building a routine)

Question 26

social prescribing

Answer 26

- increase social interactions according to their interests - stop spiraling (avoidance --> more anxiety --> avoidance, etc.)

Question 27

main treatment more phobias

Answer 27

- exposure therapy - teach stress management with exposure

Question 28

anxiety disorder medications

Answer 28

- antidepressants - antipsychotics - benzodiazepines

Question 29

first line medication for anxiety

Answer 29

antidepressants

Question 30

why are doctors hesitant to prescribe benzodiazepines

Answer 30

addictive