Anxiety Disorders

Question 1

Describe normal fear pathways

Answer 1

Main pathways all converge at the lateral amygdala
Prefrontal cortex - puts feat into perspective
Brain stem - increased respiratory rate
Hippocampus - retrieves memories of previous similar experiences
Hypothalamus - activates HPA to release cortisol and adrenaline
Locus ceruleus - increased alertness via 5HT

Question 2

What percentage of anxiety disorders are due to heritable factors compared with environmental factors?

Answer 2

1/3:2/3

Question 3

What part of the brain becomes disinhibited in pathological anxiety?

Answer 3

Amygdala

Question 4

What are the autonomic dysfunction symptoms of anxiety?

Answer 4

Neuro - Sweating, dizziness,
GI - Dry mouth, nausea/vomiting, epigastric discomfort, Cardiac - Palpitations,
Respiratory - SoB

Question 5

DSM-5 criteria for PTSD

8 marks

Answer 5

1. Experiencing a traumatic event
2. Persistent re-experience of the event
3. Avoidance of stimuli that are associated with the event
4. Depressive symptoms, detachment, or memory loss to do with the event
5. Behavioural changes - irritable, reckless, concentration problems, sleep problems
6. Duration of symptoms longer than 1 month
7. Disturbances causing significant distress
8. Disturbance not attributable to substance or separate medical condition

Question 6

What are Obsessions?

Answer 6

Unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges that repeatedly enter the person’s mind.

Question 7

What are Compulsions?

Answer 7

Repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform.

Question 8

What are the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for OCD?

Answer 8

Obsessions, or Compulsions, or both present on most days for over two weeks
Originating from the patients own mind
Unpleasant, intrusive and unwanted
Unsuccessful resistance of obsession or compulsion.