Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety:
• Anxiety Disorders An emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried
thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.The American
psychological association
• A State of apprehension or uneasiness arising out of anticipation of danger.
 Clinical Manifestations:
• Physiologic symptoms: • Intellectual or cognitive symptoms:
• Elevated Pulse, • Decreased interest
• Blood Pressure, • Inability to concentrate
• Respiration. • Forgetfulness
• Diaphoresis(Excessive Sweating)
• Frequent urination
• Insomnia or sleep disturbance
• Chest tightening
• Headache
• Nausea
 Psychological or Emotional Symptoms
• Withdrawal
• Depression
• Crying
• Apathy or lack of interest
• Anger, irritability
• Behavioral Symptoms:
• Inability to still(rest)
• Fingering hair continuously or other nervous habits
 Anxiety Disorders:
• A group of disorders characterized by persistent feelings of high anxiety,
extreme discomfort and tension.
• A group of mental disorders in which anxiety is major element
 Etiology:
• Genetics
• Neurotransmitters abnormalities
• Behavior Theory : Learned Behavior
• Environmental/Social: Stressful Events. Childhood Abuses Or Trauma
• Personality Factors: Avoidant Personality
• Psychodynamic Theory: Unconscious defense mechanisms.
• Phobia: Displacement
• OCD: Undoing & Reaction Formation
• PTSD: Denial & Repression
 Types of Anxiety Disorders
• Phobia (Phobic anxiety disorder)
• 2. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD)
• 3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD)
• 4. Panic Disorder
• 5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)
• 6. Separation Anxiety Disorder
 1. Phobia (Phobic anxiety disorder):
• Anxiety disorder characterized by intermittent anxiety which arises in particular
circumstances i.e. in response to the phobic object or situation
• Phobia: An Unreasonable Fear Of A Specific Object Activity Or Situation
• Types of phobia:
• i.Simple (specific)Phobia
• ii.Complex (Social)phobia
• iii.Agoraphobia
 i. Simple(specific) Phobia:
• An irrational fear of specific object or stimulus. • Pyrophobia: Fear of Fire
• Examples: • Xenophobia : Fear of Strangers
• Acrophobia: Fear of Heights • Cynophobia: Fear of dogs
• Hematophobia: Fear of blood
• . Claustrophobia: Fear of Closed Spaces
• Insectophobia: Fear of Insects
• Gamophobia: Fear of Marriage
• Pathophobia: Fear of Disease
• Nyctophobia: Fear of Darkness(Night)
 ii. Complex (Social) Phobia:
• It is also called Social anxiety disorders (SADs)
• An irrational fear of his /her presence in front of the people or interacting
with others or performing activities in the presence
• Examples: Deipnophobia Glossophobia
 iii. Agoraphobia:
• : Greek Agora = an open space or a marketplace.
• Fear of being in places where help might not be available and escape might
be difficult.
• Examples : Using public transportation (i.e., traveling in a car, bus, or
airplane); being out in open spaces (i.e., bridges, market places, or parking or
being in a crowd)
2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• A disorder characterized by obsession (recurring thoughts) and or
compulsion (repetitive behaviors which causes anxiety.
 3. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Also called Free Floating Anxiety
• A disorder characterized by persistent and excessive worry about different things or
life circumstances that lasts for at least six months with symptoms includes
Palpitation Dyspnea, Chest Pain, and Insomnia, Weight loss, Irritability & lack of
concentration.
• Most common anxiety disorder which lasts at least 6 months and is difficult to
control.
• Free Floating Anxiety: Apprehension not directed toward specific situation or
object
 4. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)
• A disorder characterized by Intense, persistent feelings of anxiety caused by
traumatic experience either experiencing it or witnessing it.
 5. Panic Disorder :
• Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by a sudden episode
of intense fear, reoccurring unexpected panic attacks.
• A syndrome characterized by recurrent sudden panic attacks.
• Panic attacks usually last no more than 20 to 30 minutes with symptoms such
as: Shortness of breath, Trembling, Unsteady, Depersonalization, Excessive
heart Rate, Numbness ,Tingling & Sweating.
• With panic attacks, many patients develop Agoraphobia.
 6. Separation Anxiety Disorder:
• Anxiety disorders characterized feeling of extreme anxiety when away from
home or separated from a loved with whom individual has a strong
emotional attachment
 Treatment:
• Pharmacotherapy
• Benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam, diazepam) Antidepressants (e.g. sertraline,
phenelzine)
• Behavior therapy (Relaxation techniques)
• Cognitive therapy: This therapy is used to break the anxiety patterns in phobic
disorders.
• Psychotherapy Supportive psychotherapy is a helpful adjunct to behavior therapy
and drug treatment.