Anxiety Disorders Back to Basics Ameneh Mirzaei, M.D. Resident Department of Psychiatry April 22, 2009 Definition of anxiety • a state of fear & apprehension • everyone experiences anxiety / fear at one time or another • normal emotions that can be appropriate & even beneficial under certain circumstances • anxiety disorders: excessive, uncontrollable, & distressing levels of anxiety Anxiety disorders (DSM-IV) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. panic disorder with/without agrophobia agrophobia without panic disorder specific phobia (simple phobia) social phobia (social anxiety disorder) obssessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) generalized anxiety disorder acute stress disorder substance-induced anxiety disorder anxiety disorder due to general medical condition (GMC) 11. anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) Panic disorder - epidemiology • prevalence • life-time: 4.7% • 1/3-1/2 have agrophobia • • • • F:M ratio 2-3:1 age of onset: adolescence/early adulthood (17-35) 20X higher risk of suicide versus general population 80% first seen by primary care/ER Panic disorder- diagnosis • recurrent unexpected panic attacks • >= 1 month persistent concern about – another attack – implications of attack – significant behavior change related to attacks • 4/13 symptoms of a panic attack Panic disorder – diagnosis cont’d • like any other psychiatric diagnosis – must R/O panic attacks due to • substance use • physical condition • another psychiatric disorder (including other anxiety disorders) – symptoms must cause social & functional impairment • further classified – with agoraphobia – without agoraphobia Panic attack - diagnosis • >= 4 of 13 (out of the blue, peak W/I 10 min) “STUDENTS Fear the 3 Cs” – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sweating Trembling / shaking Unsteadiness / feeling dizzy Derealization / depersonalization Excess HR Nausea Tingling SOB Fear of death Fear of going crazy / losing control Choking Chills / hot flushes Chest pain Agoraphobia – diagnosis • anxiety about being in places from which escape w/b difficult / embarrassing – being outside home alone, in a crowd, in line, bridge/tunnel, bus/train/car • these situations are avoided or endured with + + anxiety Panic disorder – prognosis • course – 50 - 70% improve – complete remission is uncommon • complications – depression: 50% – substance abuse (EtOH): 20% Panic disorder – treatment Medications • 1st line: SSRIs, venlefaxine (effexor) • 2nd line: TCA (clomipramine), benzodiazepines (short term) • continue treatment for 8-12 months Psychotherapy • CBT: cognitive restructuring, exposure, relaxation • Supportive therapy • Psychoeducation Cognitive – Behavioral Therapy • A form of psychotherapy based on the theory that psychological symptoms are related to the interaction of thoughts, behaviors, & emotions • Goal --- change unhealthy behavior through cognitive restructuring (examining assumptions behind the thought patterns) & the use of behavioral therapy techniques Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) epidemiology • • • • • • lifetime prevalence: 5% F:M = 2:1 more common in low SES 50% before age 20 90% co-morbidity rates chronic but may fluctuate during stressful times GAD - diagnosis • excessive anxiety & worry most days for at least 6/12 • difficult to control • >= 3 of “BE SKIM” --- (need only 1 in children) • • • • • • Blank mind Easily fatigued Sleep disturbance Keyed up / on edge Irritability Muscle tension • focus of worry not confined to another axis 1 d/o • r/o substances & GMC • social & occupational dysfunction GAD – treatment Medications • 1st line: SSRIs, Venlefaxine • 2nd line: TCA (imipramine), benzodiazepines (short term), Bupropion (NE/DA RUI), Buspirone (5HT partial agonist) Psychotherapy • CBT • relaxational techniques • supportive therapy • psychoeducation: symptoms come & go, avoid caffeine, EtOH Social phobia (social anxiety d/o) – epidemiology • • • • • • lifetime prevalence: 13% F:M = 1.5:1 more common in lower SES 50% generalized (vs performance) higher rates of substance abuse (EtOH) 80-90% overlap with avoidant PD Social phobia - diagnosis “PERSON” --- same for specific phobia – Persistent/ marked fear of social/performance situations – Exposure produces anxiety – Recognition of excess – Social/performance situations avoided / endured w distress – Occupational / social dysfn. – Not < 6/12 if person <18 yo Social phobia – treatment Medications • 1st line: SSRIs, Venlefaxine • 2nd line: benzodiazepines Psychotherapy • CBT • performance desensitization • social effectiveness training Avoidant Personality Disorder • Pervasive pattern of – social inhibition – feelings of inadequacy – hypersensitivity to negative evaluation • Beginning by early adulthood Avoidant Personality Disorder • 4 or more of the following – avoids jobs that involve a lot of interpersonal contact ---- fears of criticism, disapproval, rejection – unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked – restraint within intimate relationships for fear of being shamed or ridiculed Avoidant Personality Disorder • preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations • inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy • views self as socially inept, personally unappealing or inferior to others • unusually reluctant to take personal risks or engage in new activities ---- may prove embarrassing Avoidant Personality Disorder • Great deal of overlap between avoidant PD & social phobia (generalized type) • If generalized social phobia is present should also consider diagnosis of avoidant PD Specific phobia - diagnosis • Similar to social phobia Specific phobia - epidemiology • life time prevalence: 12.5% • most common mental d/o in women & 2nd most common d/o in men (after substancerelated d/o) • F:M = 2:1 • start at a young age (5-12 years) Specific phobia – types • animal: childhood onset • natural environment: childhood onset – heights, storms, water • blood-injection-injury: highly familial • situational type – airplanes, elevators, enclosed places • other types – choking, vomiting, loud sounds, costume characters Specific phobia • order of frequency of fears (most to least) – animals – storms – heights – illness – injury – death Specific phobia – treatment • tend to remit spontaneously with age • can become chronic but rarely disabling Medications • limited data on antidepressants • beta blockers, benzodiazepines for acute anxiety Psychotherapy – CBT: cognitive restructuring – behavior therapy: exposure (flooding), systematic desensitization – supportive therapy Obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD) definition Obsession (O) – recurrent & intrusive thought, feeling, idea or sensation (mental event) – recognized as irrational Compulsion (C ) – conscious, standardized, recurrent behavior such as counting, checking or avoiding (behavior) – may be carried to anxiety (not always successful to do so & may even inc anxiety) Both O & C ego-dystonic (ie unwanted behavior) OCD - epidemiology • • • • • • lifetime prevalence: 2-3% M=F in adults, M>F in adolescents mean age of onset: 20 less in blacks than whites 10% will develop schizophrenia 50% with Tourette’s have OCD OCD - diagnosis Obsessions or Compulsions “IRON RRRONS” O I ignore, suppress, neutralize R recurrent persistent intrusive thoughts O own mind (ego-dystonic) N not simply excessive worries C R R R O N S repetitive beh./ mental acts reduce stress recognition of problem (excessive) occupational, social dysfn. (take > 1 hr / day) not restricted to another axis I d/o substances / GMC exclusion OCD - treatment Pharmacotherapy – 1st line: SSRI ; high doses needed for 8-12 wks – 2nd line: Clomipramine, adjunctive Risperidone – treat for 6-24 mos after remission – very low placebo response rate Psychotherapy 1. CBT: Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) 2. psychoeducation 3. family therapy Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) epidemiology • • • • life time prevalence: 9% F:M = 2:1 80% have co-morbid illness 6x completed suicide risk compared to general population • symptoms fluctuate, get worse with stress PTSD – diagnosis • 3 major elements: re-experience, avoidence, arousal • “TRAPED” – Trauma – Re-experience (1/5) • via dreams, recurrent intrusive thoughts – Avoidence (emotional numbing) (3/7) • feeling detached from others – Persistent arousal (2/5) • irritability, exaggerated startle response – Experience distress / impairment – Duration > 1/12 (>3/12 chronic) PTSD - types • Acute – symptoms last up to 3 months • Chronic – symptoms last >=3 months • Delayed onset – symptoms start > 6 months after traumatic event PTSD – treatment Pharmacotherapy • SSRIs, venlefaxine XR Psychotherapy • CBT: EMDR • psychoeducation • group therapy • formalized stress de-briefing is not recommended Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) • Eye movements are used to engage the patients’ attention to an external stimulus, while the they are simultaneously focusing on internal distressing material Acute stress disorder • occurs in response to a traumatic event • accompanied by dissociative symptoms – 5 Ds: detachment, dazed, derealization, depersonalization, dissociative amnesia • lasts from 2 days to 1 month Summary of anxiety disorders Anxiety disorder Life time prevalence (%) & F:M Key features Treatment Social Phobia 13%, 1.5:1 Low SES Anxiety triggered by social/ performance situations “PERSON” SSRI,effexor, benzo Performance desensitization, social skills training Specific Phobia 12.5%, 2:1 Young onset: 5-12 yo Anxiety triggered by specific object / situation “PERSON” Beta blockers, benzo systematic desensitization, exposure, supportive therapy PTSD 9%, 2:1 Hx of trauma--- reexperience, avoidence, arousal “ TRAPED” SSRI,effexor EMDR GAD 5%, 2:1 Low SES Excessive worry 6/12 3 “BE SKIM” SSRI,effexor, benzo, imipramine, bupropion, buspirone, relaxatin Panic Disorder 4.7%, 2-3:1 recurrent attacks (not trigger), >=4/13 “STUDENTS Fear the 3 Cs” SSRI, Effexor, clomipramine, benzo. 8-12 mos exposure, relaxation OCD 2-3%, M=F in adults, M>F in adolescents Presence of obsessions or compulsions or both “IRON RRRONS” SSRI (high dose), clomipramine, adjunctive risperidone tx for 6-24 mos ERP Sample multiple choice questions Which of the following statements regarding anxiety and gender differences is true? A. B. C. D. E. Women have higher rates of almost all anxiety d/os Gender ratios are nearly equal with OCD No significant dirrence exists in average age of anxiety onset Women have a twofold greater lifetime rate of agoraphobia than men All of the above Which one of the following is not a component of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for OCD? A. Obsessions are acknowledged as excessive or unreasonable B. There are attempts to ignore or suppress compulsive thoughts or impulses C. Obsession or compulsions are time consuming and take > 1hr/day D. Children need not to recognize their obsessions are unreasonable E. The person recognizes obsessional thoughts as a product of outside themselves Anxiety disorders A. B. C. D. Are greater among people at lower SES Are highest amon those with higher education Are lowest among homemakers Have shown different prevalences with regard to social class but not ethnicity A. All of the above Which one of the following situations are most likely to cause PTSD A. B. C. D. E. Involvement in an earthquake Being diagnosed with cancer Rape Witnessing a crime Observing a flood The risk of developing anxiety d/os is enhanced by A. B. C. D. E. Eating disorder Depression Substance abuse Allergies All of the above Isolated panic attacks without functional disturbances A. B. C. D. E. Are uncommon Occur in <2% of population \ Are part of the criteria for diagnosis of PD Usually involve anticipatory anxiety or phobic avoidence None of the above Which of the following statements are true about patients with obsessive compulsive personality disorder? A. B. C. D. They have obsessions only They have compulsions only They have both obsessions & compulsions None of the above Which one of the following is not typical of course of panic d/o A. B. C. D. E. Onset is typically late adolescence or early adulthood Tends to exhibit a fluctuating course Typical patients exhibit a patter of chronic disability Majority of the pts live relatively normal lives All of the above Tourette’s d/o has been shown to possibly have a familial & genetic Relationship with A. B. C. D. E. Panic d/o Social phobia GAD OCD None of the above Isolated panic attacks without functional disturbances A. B. C. D. E. Are uncommon Occur in <2% of population \ Are part of the criteria for diagnosis of PD Usually involve anticipatory anxiety or phobic avoidence None of the above Which one of the following is most common symptom pattern associated with OCD? A. B. C. D. E. Obsession of doubt Obsession of contamination Intrusive thoughts Obsession of symmetry Compulsive hoarding Case examples Panic disorder - I • "It started 10 years ago, when I had just graduated from college and started a new job. I was sitting in a business seminar in a hotel and this thing came out of the blue. I felt like I was dying • "For me, a panic attack is almost a violent experience. I feel disconnected from reality. I feel like I'm losing control in a very extreme way. My heart pounds really hard, I feel like I can't get my breath, and there's an overwhelming feeling that things are crashing in on me Panic disorder - II • "In between attacks there is this dread and anxiety that it's going to happen again. I'm afraid to go back to places where I've had an attack. Unless I get help, there soon won't be anyplace where I can go and feel safe from panic." Obsessive-compulsive disorder - I • "Getting dressed in the morning was tough because I had a routine, and if I didn't follow the routine, I'd get anxious and would have to get dressed again. I always worried that if I didn't do something, my parents were going to die. I'd have these terrible thoughts of harming my parents. That was completely irrational, but the thoughts triggered more anxiety and more senseless behaviour. Because of the time I spent on rituals, I was unable to do a lot of things that were important to me. Obsessive-compulsive disorder - II • "I couldn't do anything without rituals. They invaded every aspect of my life. Counting really bogged me down. I would wash my hair three times as opposed to once because three was a good luck number and one wasn't. It took me longer to read because I'd count the lines in a paragraph. When I set my alarm at night, I had to set it to a number that wouldn't add up to a "bad" number. Obsessive-compulsive disorder - III • "I knew the rituals didn't make sense, and I was deeply ashamed of them, but I couldn't seem to overcome them until I had therapy." PTSD - I • "I was raped when I was 25 years old. For a long time, I spoke about the rape as though it was something that happened to someone else. I was very aware that it had happened to me, but there was just no feeling. • "Then I started having flashbacks. They kind of came over me like a splash of water. I would be terrified. Suddenly I was reliving the rape. Every instant was startling. I wasn't aware of anything around me, I was in a bubble, just kind of floating. And it was scary. Having a flashback can wring you out. PTSD - II • "The rape happened the week before Thanksgiving, and I can't believe the anxiety and fear I feel every year around the anniversary date. It's as though I've seen a werewolf. I can't relax, can't sleep, don't want to be with anyone. I wonder whether I'll ever be free of this terrible problem." Social phobia - I • "In any social situation, I felt fear. I would be anxious before I even left the house, and it would escalate as I got closer to a college class, a party, or whatever. I would feel sick at my stomach-it almost felt like I had the flu. My heart would pound, my palms would get sweaty, and I would get this feeling of being removed from myself and from everybody else. Social phobia - II • "When I would walk into a room full of people, I'd turn red and it would feel like everybody's eyes were on me. I was embarrassed to stand off in a corner by myself, but I couldn't think of anything to say to anybody. It was humiliating. I felt so clumsy, I couldn't wait to get out. • "I couldn't go on dates, and for a while I couldn't even go to class. My sophomore year of college I had to come home for a semester. I felt like such a failure." GAD - I • "I always thought I was just a worrier. I'd feel keyed up and unable to relax. At times it would come and go, and at times it would be constant. It could go on for days. I'd worry about what I was going to fix for a dinner party, or what would be a great present for somebody. I just couldn't let something go. GAD - II • "I'd have terrible sleeping problems. There were times I'd wake up wired in the middle of the night. I had trouble concentrating, even reading the newspaper or a novel. Sometimes I'd feel a little lightheaded. My heart would race or pound. And that would make me worry more. I was always imagining things were worse than they really were: when I got a stomach-ache, I'd think it was an ulcer. • "When my problems were at their worst, I'd miss work and feel just terrible about it. Then I worried that I'd lose my job. My life was miserable until I got treatment." Good luck on the exam!
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