Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
What percentage of the population is affected by neurosis at any one time?
15%
What is anxiety disorder?
Anxiety the normal sympathetic response to being in danger or under stress. In anxiety disorder, the patient undergoes the stress changes in response to an inappropriate stimuli or in response to their own thoughts.
What is mixed anxiety-depression?
When depression occurs alongside an anxiety disorder
Give some psychological symptoms of anxiety
Feeling of dread Apprehension Restlessness Increased alertness Racing thoughts Safety behaviours
Give some physiological symptoms of anxiety
Sweating Increased heart rate Increased respiratory rate Flushing (Sympathetic response)
What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
No specific trigger for anxiety symptoms. Have a concern about something in their life so become worried. Then start worrying about worrying.
Associated with insomnia and muscle tension, GI problems and headache
Why are GAD patients sometimes resistant to treatment?
They may believe their worrying is useful and helps them be prepared for things that could happen
What is OCD?
OCD is the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) which cause anxiety symptoms. The patient may use compulsions as a coping mechanism for the obsessions.
Describe what is meant by an obsession
Unwanted and recurring intrusive thoughts and images which do not fit with what the patient normally would think. The thoughts can be distressing and anxiety provoking and also make the patient feel uncomfortable and ashamed.
Describe some common obsessions
Fear of causing harm to someone
Violent, sexual or blasphemous thoughts
Fear of contamination
Fear of lack of symmetry or order
Describe what is meant by a compulsion
Repetitive activities done to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession such as washing, checking, counting or repeating words.
How is OCD treated?
CBT, antidepressants, tranquilisers
What is a phobia?
A fear of something specific which causes a person to avoid the object or situation
How are phobias treated?
Behavioural therapy- graded exposure to their fear so the stimulus has a lesser effect on them over time. Works on opperant conditioning.
What is panic disorder?
Regular panic attacks without a clear cause or trigger
What is agoraphobia and why is it associated with panic disorder?
Agoraphobia is the fear of going outside. It is associated with panic disorder because people are scared to go out in case they have a panic attack in an unknown environment
List some symptoms of a panic attack
Palpitations, lightheadedness, feeling hot, nausea, sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath, weak legs
How are panic attacks managed?
Focus on the present, try and control breathing, tell people you are having them so they can help you
What is social anxiety disorder?
A fear of negative evaluation by other people which leads to avoidance of feared situations and use of safety behaviours. Episodes of anxiety are often triggered by social situations
What is body dysmorphic disorder?
Anxiety disorder related to obsessive worries about perceived flaws in their physical appearance which are not perceived by others. They may develop compulsive disorders to cope such as excessive use of mirrors or skin picking.
Give some symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder
Shame, guilt, loneliness, isolation, depression, misuse of alcohol, eating disorders, self-harm
What is post-traumatic stress disorder?
After exposure to a traumatic event certain triggers can cause the patient to relieve the anxiety felt at the time through nightmares or flashbacks
