Anxiety Disorders

Question 1

What percentage of the population is affected by neurosis at any one time?

Answer 1

15%

Question 2

What is anxiety disorder?

Answer 2

Anxiety the normal sympathetic response to being in danger or under stress. In anxiety disorder, the patient undergoes the stress changes in response to an inappropriate stimuli or in response to their own thoughts.

Question 3

What is mixed anxiety-depression?

Answer 3

When depression occurs alongside an anxiety disorder

Question 4

Give some psychological symptoms of anxiety

Answer 4

Feeling of dread
Apprehension 
Restlessness
Increased alertness
Racing thoughts
Safety behaviours

Question 5

Give some physiological symptoms of anxiety

Answer 5

Sweating
Increased heart rate 
Increased respiratory rate 
Flushing
(Sympathetic response)

Question 6

What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Answer 6

No specific trigger for anxiety symptoms. Have a concern about something in their life so become worried. Then start worrying about worrying.
Associated with insomnia and muscle tension, GI problems and headache

Question 7

Why are GAD patients sometimes resistant to treatment?

Answer 7

They may believe their worrying is useful and helps them be prepared for things that could happen

Question 8

What is OCD?

Answer 8

OCD is the presence of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) which cause anxiety symptoms. The patient may use compulsions as a coping mechanism for the obsessions.

Question 9

Describe what is meant by an obsession

Answer 9

Unwanted and recurring intrusive thoughts and images which do not fit with what the patient normally would think. The thoughts can be distressing and anxiety provoking and also make the patient feel uncomfortable and ashamed.

Question 10

Describe some common obsessions

Answer 10

Fear of causing harm to someone
Violent, sexual or blasphemous thoughts
Fear of contamination
Fear of lack of symmetry or order

Question 11

Describe what is meant by a compulsion

Answer 11

Repetitive activities done to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession such as washing, checking, counting or repeating words.

Question 12

How is OCD treated?

Answer 12

CBT, antidepressants, tranquilisers

Question 13

What is a phobia?

Answer 13

A fear of something specific which causes a person to avoid the object or situation

Question 14

How are phobias treated?

Answer 14

Behavioural therapy- graded exposure to their fear so the stimulus has a lesser effect on them over time. Works on opperant conditioning.

Question 15

What is panic disorder?

Answer 15

Regular panic attacks without a clear cause or trigger

Question 16

What is agoraphobia and why is it associated with panic disorder?

Answer 16

Agoraphobia is the fear of going outside. It is associated with panic disorder because people are scared to go out in case they have a panic attack in an unknown environment

Question 17

List some symptoms of a panic attack

Answer 17

Palpitations, lightheadedness, feeling hot, nausea, sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath, weak legs

Question 18

How are panic attacks managed?

Answer 18

Focus on the present, try and control breathing, tell people you are having them so they can help you

Question 19

What is social anxiety disorder?

Answer 19

A fear of negative evaluation by other people which leads to avoidance of feared situations and use of safety behaviours. Episodes of anxiety are often triggered by social situations

Question 20

What is body dysmorphic disorder?

Answer 20

Anxiety disorder related to obsessive worries about perceived flaws in their physical appearance which are not perceived by others. They may develop compulsive disorders to cope such as excessive use of mirrors or skin picking.

Question 21

Give some symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder

Answer 21

Shame, guilt, loneliness, isolation, depression, misuse of alcohol, eating disorders, self-harm

Question 22

What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

Answer 22

After exposure to a traumatic event certain triggers can cause the patient to relieve the anxiety felt at the time through nightmares or flashbacks