anxiety disorders

• Z.A. experiences palpitations and tingling sensations in her hands.
• NHS defines anxiety as a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
• A diagnosis of anxiety is made if the feeling of anxiety occurs all the time.
• Mental health statistics show that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health problems each year.
• Panic disorder is characterised by palpitations and tingling sensations in the hands.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a combination of obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed in people reporting traumatic events.
• Specific phobia is an intense fear of something that in reality is of little or no actual danger.
• Complex phobia, such as social phobia, is a fear of social or performance situations resulting from thoughts of negative judgement, embarrassment or humiliation.
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is diagnosed based on DSM 5 and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria.
• Anxiety Disorders can be categorized into specific and generalized types.
• Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized by fear of social situations.
• Treatment for Anxiety Disorders may include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
• Other Anxiety Disorders include panic disorder, agoraphobia, and selective mutism.
• Prevention of Anxiety Disorders may involve managing stress, improving self-esteem, and seeking support from loved ones.
• Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by fear of separation from home or attachment figures.
• Anxiety Disorders are characterized by excessive, persistent worry and fear.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive, persistent worry and fear about various things or situations.
• Anxiety Disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, life experiences, and medical conditions.
• Specific Anxiety Disorders are characterized by fears or phobias about specific things or situations.
• Anxiety Disorders can also lead to psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and irritability.
• Anxiety Disorders can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and muscle tension.
• Neurobiology of anxiety involves potential causes such as genetics, neurochemical and neurohormonal factors, environmental factors, drugs and medication, physical and mental health, and diet.
• Neurobiology of GAD involves neuroimaging, genetics, neurotransmitters, neuroendocrine factors, frontal lobe and amygdala, amygdala, memory, anger, fear, sadness, sex drive, binge drinking, aggression, anxiety, and prefrontal cortex.
• Decreased connectivity between amygdala and prefrontal cortex is observed in GAD patients.
• GABA binding causes a conformational change in GABA A receptor chloride channel, leading to hyperpolarisation and inhibition.
• Anxiety disorders considerations during assessment include the number, severity and duration of symptoms, comorbid depressive or anxiety disorder, environmental stressors, substance misuse, degree of distress and functional impairment.
• Symptoms of GAD include problems sleeping, worry about the future, palpitations and tingling.
• Amygdala and frontal lobe are affected in GAD.
• Corticotrophin-releasing factor has also been investigated in GAD patients with unsuccessful clinical trials.
• GABA dysregulation is observed in GAD, affecting inhibitory neurotransmission.
• Understanding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help manage Z.A’s GAD.
• Benzodiazepines bind to GABAA receptor, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.
• Non-pharmacological therapy for Z.A’s GAD includes self-help, meditation and relaxation techniques, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
• 5-HT and SSRIs have efficacy for GAD.
• Unsuccessful trials investigating CCK-antagonists have been conducted in GAD patients.
• Benzodiazepines (BDZs) are used for muscle relaxation, insomnia, pre-medication, epilepsy, alcohol withdrawal, and anxiety.
• Pharmacological therapy for Z.A’s GAD includes SSRIs, SNRIs, pregabalin, benzodiazepines, and diagnosis of Generalized anxiety disorder.
• A receptor downregulation is observed in GAD patients.
• Symptoms of GAD are effectively treated with GABA A agonists.