Anxiety Disorders and Treatments

Flashcards covering key concepts and definitions related to anxiety disorders, their neurobiology, and treatment options.

A class of mental disorders in which anxiety is the predominating feature.

What are anxiety disorders characterized by?

Animals, natural environments, situations, blood/injections/injury, and other (e.g., loud noises).

What categories are included in phobic disorders?

Sudden occurrence of multiple psychological and physiological symptoms contributing to a feeling of terror.

What is a common symptom of panic disorder?

Chronic excessive worry accompanied by three or more symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

A strong genetic component, with some individuals having a predisposition to developing an anxiety disorder.

What is a significant biological factor in anxiety disorders?

Drugs for anxiety that include benzodiazepines and SSRIs/SNRIs.

What are anxiolytics used for?

Chronic physiological arousal, recurrent unwanted thoughts or images of trauma, and avoidance of triggers related to the traumatic event.

What characterizes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

The right hippocampus is smaller in individuals with PTSD.

What is a neurobiological characteristic of PTSD?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with gradual exposure to triggering stimuli.

What is a common treatment approach for PTSD?

Repetitive, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

What are the main components of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, and insula.

Which brain areas show changes in individuals with OCD?

Drugs that block the reuptake of serotonin, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and fluvoxamine (Luvox).

What medications are often used to treat OCD?