Neuroses Flashcards
Name the main anxiety disorders?
Generalised anxiety disorder Panic disorder OCD Phobias PTSD
Give a definition of GAD?
A long term condition where a person feels anxious about a wide range of situations and issues.
Causes physical and physiological symptoms
Who is affected by GAD?
Women more than men
More common ages 35-59
Aetiology of GAD?
Genetic predisposition
Psychological vulnerability: attachment issues, overprotective parenting etc.
Stress
Events: bereavement, divorce etc.
Psychological symptoms of GAD?
Restlessness Sense of dread Feeling on edge all the time Difficulty concentrating Irritability Depersonalisation Derealisation
Physical symptoms of GAD?
Dizziness Fatigue Palpitations Muscle ache/tension Tremor Dry mouth Excessive sweating SOB Nausea Headache Insomnia Motor tension: fidgety, unable to relax
What is panic disorder?
A person experiences regular recurrent panic attacks which are not restricted to particular situations.
Between attacks they don’t experience much anxiety
Psychological symptoms of panic disorder?
Overwhelming anxiety Sense of dread Fear of dying Depersonalisation Derealisation
Physical symptoms of panic disorder?
Palpitations Sweating Tremor Hot flushes Choking sensation Chest pain Churning stomach Need to urinate
Briefly describe the psychodynamic theory?
Our behaviours and feelings are powerfully affected by unconscious motives
And they are affected by childhood experiences
In the psychodynamic theory there are 3 parts to personality, what are they?
Id: animal instinct
Super-ego: morality
Ego: rational judgement
Briefly describe the cognitive behavioural theory?
The mind’s cognition is important in determining behaviour.
Dysfunctional thoughts lead to extreme emotions
Define obsessions and compulsions.
Obsession: unwelcome thoughts, images, doubts that repeatedly come into your mind
Compulsions: repetitive activities that you feel you have to do
What is a phobia.
An intense fear of something, even though it doesn’t pose a threat to you
What is hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia?
Fear of the number 666!
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Strong feelings of anxiety after experiencing or witnessing something traumatic .
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Intrusive thoughts and images
Intense distress at reminders of the event
Physical anxiety symptoms Aggression Hypervigilance Self-destructive, reckless behaviour Unable to trust anyone Feeling unsafe Guilt, shame, anger
Treatment of a patient presenting with anxiety symptoms?
Stepped care
- Patient education
- Low intensity psychological intervention, self-help, individual + group therapy
- Either high intensity psychological intervention (CBT, counselling) or a drug
- Complex drug and/or psychological treatment. Input from MDT, crisis team
Which drugs are used to treat anxiety?
Beta blockers
Antidepressants
Benzodiazepines
Pregabalin
Give the diagnostic criteria for OCD?
On most days for 2 weeks, causing interference with normal life:
Thoughts and impulses recognised as own
The thought of carrying out act must not be pleasurable (aside from relief from anxiety once done it)
Thoughts, images, impulses must be repetitive
Trying to resist at least one impulse (as others they may just do without resisting now)
Management of OCD?
CBT with exposure and response prevention
- break down problems
- face fear, let the thoughts occur
SSRIs
What are some common obsessions in OCD?
Washing hands Checking Counting Praying Repeating words silently
Management of panic disorder?
SSRI: sertraline
Beta blockers
CBT
Management of GAD?
SSRI
CBT
Endocrine/metabolic causes of anxiety?
Hyperthyroid Cushing's Hyperprolactinaemia Hypercalcaemia Phaeochromocytoma Hypoglycaemia
