Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
What is the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the US?
18.1%
What is the dual diagnosis concept associated with anxiety disorders?
Usually co-occur with depressive disorders or substance abuse
Most people with anxiety disorders will have their first episode by what age?
21.5
Symptoms of persistent and excessive anxiety or worry that interferes with normal functioning for what length of time allow for the proper diagnosis of a general anxiety disorder?
At least 6 months
What physical symptoms can sometimes manifest with a generalized anxiety disorder?
Muscle aches, twitching/trembling, sweating, dry mouth, headaches, GI symptoms, urinary frequency
What kinds of medical conditions can cause anxiety?
Heart failure/abnormal heart rhythms, encephalitis, stroke, head injury, hormone imbalances due to pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands or diabetes, pneumonia/chronic lung disease, or withdrawal from sedatives or pain meds
What are some differential diagnoses for GAD?
Drug use (OTCs, caffeine, cocaine, substance withdrawal, etc.), myocardial infarction, endocrine disorders (hyper or hypothyroidism)
What is the cause of GAD?
Multi-factorial: genetics, biological abnormalities, learning, catastrophic events
How can learning lead to GAD?
Avoidance learning, classical conditioning, observational learning
What are the treatments for GAD?
Anti-anxiety drugs, anti-depressants, cognitive behavior therapy, behavior therapy, education
What is a major behavior therapy used to help with GAD?
Systematic desensitization
What are some relaxation techniques used as treatment for GAD?
Muscle-relaxation, hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, guided visualization
How can chiropractic treatment help with GAD?
Decreased muscle tension and anxiety levels
What is a panic attack?
Sudden onset of intense apprehension, fearfulness, terror, and/or feelings of impending doom for a discrete period
What are the 3 ways to categorize panic attacks?
Unexpected (uncued), situationally bound (always environmental or psychologically cued), or situationally predisposed (sometimes, but not invariably, cued)
Panic attacks can occur during what kinds of anxiety disorders?
Panic disorder, phobias, OCD, PTSD
Is a panic attack considered to be a psychiatric disorder?
NO, attack is different than panic DISORDER
What is the difference between a panic attack and panic disorder?
Panic DISORDER is distinct and accompanied by RECURRENT, unexpected panic attacks
What kinds of things can mimic a panic attack?
Caffeine or other stimulants, asthma, cardiac issues, thyroid problems, seizure disorders
What are the perceived causes of panic disorder?
Hereditary (3-5X higher in families diagnosed with it) but also deficit or excess of serotonin
What is agoraphobia?
Anxiety about, or avoidance of, places of situation from which escape might be difficult or help may not be available
What is the difference between a fear and a phobia?
Phobias are irrational forms of fear in situations that aren’t actually harmful
What are the two specific types of phobias?
Specific and social
Are people with phobias aware that they’re actually irrational?
Surprisingly, yes
