Anxiety Disorders

Question 1

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed and classified?

Answer 1

A. Phobic
B. Other includes GAD
C. Obsessive compulsive
D. PTSD
(Acute stress reaction, adjustment disorders, dissociative disorders, transient dissociative disorders)

Question 2

What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?

Answer 2

Psychological: fearful anticipation, irritability, sensitivity to noise, poor concentration, worrying thoughts

Autonomic: dry mouth, swallowing difficulty, dyspepsia, nausea, flatulence, loose motions, tight chest, sob, palpitations, chest pain, increased frequency of urination, urge, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, erectile failure, dizzy, sweating

Muscle tension: tremor, headache, muscle pain

Hyper ventilations: co2 deficit hypopnea, numbness, tingling, spasm, breathlessness

Sleep disturbance: initial insomnia, increased waking, nightmares, night terrors

Question 3

What are some different types of anxiety disorders?

Answer 3

Social phobia
GAD
PTSD
OCD

Question 4

How are anxiety disorders managed?

Answer 4

GAD - counselling, relaxation training, medications eg sedatives, antidepressants, CBT

OCD - general measures, serotonergic drugs, CBT, psychosurgery

PTSD - watchful waiting, trauma focused CBT. Eye movement desensitisation, reprocessing.