neuro: anxiety Flashcards
what does anxiety mean?
anxiety is a feeling of unease (worry or fear) which can range from mild to severe
anxiety can be an innate adaptive response and a learned adaptive response. Explain this.
- innate: fear is an adaptive response to a threatening response.
Fear responses compromise of several types: defensive behaviours, autonomic responses and increased alertness. Example someone throwing something directly at your face
Learned: fears can be learned through life experiences, ex: touching a hot stove. Fear response can occur in an anticipatory manner, sometimes independently of the stimuli.
what is intermittent and chronic anxiety?
intermittent: triggered due to certain events, and situations
chronic: irrational, leading to social disturbances, avoidance behaviours, excessive worry and concentration/memory issues
what are some physiological and psychological symptoms?
psychological:
-stress
-suspense
-agitated
Physiological:
- tachycardia
-shortness of breath
- pins and needles
-shaking and sweating
what can cause symptoms of anxiety?
-past experiences
-everyday life and habits (money concerns, academia etc)
-diet
-physical and mental health
-alcohol and drugs can trigger anxiety like symptoms
why does alcohol trigger anxiety like symptoms?
- alcohol is a CNS depressant; increases GABAergic neurotransmission and can block glutamatergic neurotransmission.
-balance between glutamate and GABA is crucial for an optimal brain function: alcohol disrupts this balance - our brains adapt to counteract this inbalance- leads to low levels of GABA and high levels of glutamate, which can trigger anxiety symptoms.
what can be derived from genetic studies about anxiety disorders?
- anxiety disorders are not based on one single gene, but likely have a more complex genetic basis which can be affected by environmental factors.
explain the pathophysiology of anxiety?
- the stress response is regulated by the HPA axis. (Hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis)
-HPA regulates the release of cortisol (a glucocorticoid) which contributes to the bodies physiological response to stress. - an experiment was done in rodents that proved that CRH (corticotopin releasing hormone) plays a key role in regulating the stress response
- overexpression of CRH -> increased anxiety like behaviours
-knocking out CRH receptors -> less anxiety like behaviours
what brain regions can influence the HPA axis and it’s level of activity?
- amygdala and hippocampus
- amygdala - role in emotion and fear response
-stimulates HPA axis, promotes cortisol release
-hyperactivity of amygdala linked to anxiety disorders
hippocampus: suppresses HPA axis, prevents release of cortisol
- hippocampus under activity is linked to anxiety disorders.
what is the DSM-5 2013 classification of anxiety disorders?
-diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
classified into:
-anxiety disorders
-OCD (obsessive compulsive disorders)
-trauma and stressor related disorders
what do classifications of the anxiety disorders include?
Anxiety disorders:
-generalised anxiety disorder
-specific phobias
-social phobias
-panic disorders
OCD:
Body dysmirohic disorder
-hoarding disorder
-trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder)
Trauma and stressor related dusorders:
-PTSD
explain generalised anxiety disorder?
- characterised by an ongoing state of extreme anxiety lacking clear reason or focus
Associated with three or more of these 6 symptoms:
- restlessness
-fatigue - increased muscle archness or soreness
- impaired concentration
- irritability
- difficulty sleeping
These symptoms should not be classified as generalised anxiety disorder if the symptoms are due to substance abuse or better explained by another anxiety disorder
GAD sufferers symptoms are likely to be different from another persons experience with GAD
explain specific phobias?
extreme fears if anxieties due to exposure to a particular situation or object - leads to avoidance behaviours.
- phobia is persistent and typically persists for atleast six months, impairs activities of daily living.
explain social phobias?
- significant anxiety provoked by exposure to certain types of social or performance situations.
-includes social interactions, being observed and performing in front of others.
-phobia is persistent for at least six months and impairs activities of daily living
Not attributable to a substance or mental condition or better explained by another type of anxiety disorder
what is panic disorder?
- characterised by recurring panic attacks, without a seemingly clear cause or trigger
- a panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort reaching a peak within mins
-associated with four or more of thirteen symptoms:
Symptoms are: increased heart rate, sweating/trembling/shaking, shortness of breath and fear of dying
-individual worries about further panic attacks which may lead to another panic attack- panic cycle
- panic attacks can either occur spontaneously, or be a feature of a number of different anxiety disorders