ANXIETY!! - LL

Question 1

What percent of patients with a primary anxiety disorder will develop a Depressive disorder?

Answer 1

40%

Question 2

When a patient presents with acute symptoms of anxiety, what are labs/tests we do immediately to r/o other causes?

Answer 2

Urine tox (substances), EKG (can mimic an MI), TSH (hyperthyroidism), CMP/glucose (hypoglycemia)

Question 3

What’s difference between a panic ATTACK, and panic disorder?

Answer 3

the attack is a SYMPTOM, not a diagnosis. It is a sudden event with increased HR, BP, sweating, etc. The DISORDER is the month after the attack that you’re worried about having another one and thus change your behavior.

Question 4

What is agoraphobia?

Answer 4

The fear of being in public and not having a safe place if they have a panic attack, so they stay home and it impacts their quality of life.

Question 5

What is the difference between panic attacks and phobias?

Answer 5

In phobias, you know what the specific cause is. In panic attacks they can just come out of the blue.

Question 6

What is the acute and long term treatment of panic disorder?

Answer 6

Attacks: Benzo (Alprazolam SL)
Prevention: psychotherapy + SSRIs

Question 7

What’s the difference between agoraphobia and social phobia?

Answer 7

Social phobia is the fear of EMBARRASSMENT in public, whereas agoraphobia is the fear of not having a safe place in public if they have a panic attack.