Anxiety Disorders Flashcards
What is the most common mental illness in the US?
Anxiety Disorders
What are the neuroanatomic structures involved in anxiety?
- Locus Ceruleus
- Limbic System (Amygdala/Hippocampus/Hypothalamus)
Panic Attack
An abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within 10 minutes
What are the features of a panic attack?
Palpitations Abdominal distress Nausea Intense fear of dying Chest pain
Panic Disorder
Recurrent unexpected panic attacks without an identifiable trigger - anticipation and avoidance of what may trigger the attack
What is the typical age for panic disorders?
Most are in late teens to early 20s
What is the treatment for panic disorders?
SSRIs and SNRIs are the first line drugs - can use benzodiazepine to bridge until the antidepressant effects kick in
Agoraphobia
Fear or anxiety of large places that can include the following:
- Public transportation
- Open spaces
- Small spaces
- Outside of home
What is the treatment for agoraphobia?
Systematic desensitization
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Excessive anxiety/worry about many things
What is one of the hallmarks of social anxiety?
Blushing
What gender does anxiety disorders tend to affect more?
Females
What specific phobia is equal between males and females?
Blood/Injection/Injury
What is the treatment that can be used for most anxiety disorders?
- Antidepressants
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Concerning separation from home or parents with an age greater than expected for developmental level
Selective Mutism
Failure to speak in social situations where there is an expectation for speaking
What is the rate of selective mutism between males and females?
Equal
What are the co-morbidities of anxiety disorders?
- Other anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Substance abuse
Acute Stress Disorder
Significant trauma leads to short duration of symptoms of negative mood and avoidance symptoms
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Recurrent memories of traumatic event with avoidance symptoms with duration more than 1 month - similar to acute stress disorder but just has longer duration
What is the treatment for PTSD?
Antidepressants
What should not be used to treat PTSD?
Benzodiazepine
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Recurrent and persistent thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors
What gender is OCD more common in?
Females
What is the treatment for OCD?
SSRIs at high doses
What is a main co-morbidity of OCD?
Tic Disorder
What is the most common co-morbidity of anxiety disorders with panic attacks?
Agoraphobia
What is the most common non-anxiety disorder with panic attacks?
Major Depression
What is the most prevalent anxiety disorder in children under 12?
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Intrusion Symptoms
Distressing memories of event, recurrent nightmares, flashbacks, distress triggered by cues of the trauma
Dissociative Symptoms
Altered sense of one’s surroundings (derealization) or oneself (depersonalization); inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
