Anxiety & The Pharmacology of Anxiolytic Drugs (2 lectures)

The [blank_start]Amygdala[blank_end] acts as the emotional filter of the brain. Located in the medial temporal lobe, it helps to decide whether a stimulus requires a stress or fear response.

Generalised anxiety tends to only be diagnosed when symptoms have been going on most days for at least [blank_start]6 months[blank_end]

Females are more likely than males to develop generalised anxiety disorder

SSRIs can be used in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder

Which Gabapentinoid is typically used in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder?

Which 3 of the following are known common symptoms of anxiety?

[blank_start]Panic[blank_end] disorder is defined as recurrent attacks of severe anxiety which are not restricted to any particular situation or set of circumstances and are therefore unpredictable

Over 50% of patients with panic disorder have [blank_start]agoraphobia[blank_end], a type of anxiety in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped

It has been discussed that one of the potential causes for sporadic panic attacks is the buildup of [blank_start]lactic[blank_end] acid in acid-sensitive fear pathways.

Which benzodiazepine, listed in the World Health Organization’s Essential Drug List, can be used to treat anxiety disorders such as GAD and Panic Disorder? [blank_start]Diazepam[blank_end]

A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others is known as ...

Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder tends to be treated, in the initial stages, via which of the following therapies?

A patient 17 year old boy presents to his GP complaining of an incessant need to to tidy his room, so much so that his things are completely perfectly arranged. This has been going on for around 2 months now. He describes this obsessive cleaning as unenjoyable and claims he only does it to 'neutralise' his irresistible urges. What condition is this person likely suffering from? [blank_start]Obsessive Compulsive[blank_end] Disorder

OCD incidence: Peak incidence in males is between [blank_start]13-15[blank_end] Peak incidence for females is between [blank_start]24-25[blank_end]

60-90% of patients with OCD will experience at least 1 major [blank_start]depressive[blank_end] episode

The most common therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is [blank_start]cognitive behavioural therapy[blank_end]

Benzodiazepines act as agonists of a [blank_start]GABA[blank_end] receptor, thus promoting relaxation and anticonvulsant effects.

Combining Benzodiazepines with Alcohol is not recommended, however does not generally cause any negative effects.

The GABA receptors are [blank_start]ionotropic[blank_end] receptors on [blank_start]chloride[blank_end] channels

Which of the following benzodiazepines is the mainstay of the alcohol withdrawal program at ninewells?

Benzodiazepines + alcohol typically leads to [blank_start]respiratory depression[blank_end]

Benzodiazepines should not be immediately withdrawn. They should instead be phased out to allow the body to restore its natural mechanisms of producing and reacting to GABA.

Immediate withdrawal of benzodiazepines from a patient's treatment plan could cause which 2 of the following symptoms?

[blank_start]Serotonin[blank_end] is the key neurotransmitter in the Amygdala

In a patient with Generalised Anxiety Disorder who has not responded positively to CBT, what should be the first line pharmacological treatment?

In a patient in which SSRIs have not worked or are contraindicated, what is the next step in the drug treatment of a generalised anxiety patient?