Neuro (NER)

• Anxiety disorder is an excessive anticipatory fear response that interferes w normal life. Causes defensive behaviours, corticosteroid secretion, autonomic reflexes & negative emotions 
• 3 types of anxiety disorder- generalised, phobic, panic disorder 
• Somatic & autonomic effects of anxiety disorder are tachycardia, sweating, restlessness & sleep disturbances
• HPA Axis & anxiety disorder- HPA axis overactive & elevated corticosteroid production without stressor, may be driven by cortex, amygdala or hippocampus 
• Anxiety disorder treatment can be psychological or pharmacological (E.g. anxiolytics, beta blockers, antidepressants)
• Anxiolytics – benzodiazepines E.g. diazepam; bind to allosteric site on GABAa receptors to increase GABA affinity so increased Cl- entry so hyperpolarisation; however sedation can occur, depression when with alcohol, and long term use causes tolerance and dependence so withdrawal effects
• Novel anxiolytics- serotonin-1A partial antagonists; E.g. buspirone; slow acting, no sedation, non-addictive 
• B blockers for anxiety disorder – reduce somatic symptoms E.g. tremor, palpitations & sweating