Anxiety

=Anxiety=

What it is
Anxiety disorders can affect a person’s ability to work, study and participate in other activities. Recovery is possible with appropriate treatment. There are different types of anxiety disorders. The six recognised groups of anxiety disorders include:
 * [|Obsessive compulsive disorder]
 * [|Panic disorder] (and panic disorder with agoraphobia)
 * [|Social anxiety disorder]
 * [|Specific phobias]
 * [|Post-traumatic stress disorder]
 * [|Generalised anxiety disorder]

Symptoms
- increased heart rate and breathing, dry mouth, increased muscle tension, and flushed clammy skin
 * Anxiety** is a normal part of our "fight or flight" self-preservation mechanism when alerted to real danger or threat.

- occur with varying frequency and intensity but may include all of those listed above as well as: - trembling, chest pain, nausea, fear (and fear of going crazy/dying), sense of being detached from reality
 * Anxiety Disorders** are the development of these and other symptoms in the absence of real danger or threat.

How to Treat
Most anxiety disorders respond well to psychological therapy, which is considered first line treatment, and may be better at improving long term outcome. Use may be limited by low patient motivation and/or acceptance of psychological therapies, their time-consuming nature and the availability of suitably qualified therapists. The place of drugs in treating anxiety disorders is still debated. Research suggests that combining behaviour therapy and drug treatment is also useful. - Titrate drug doses cautiously because anxiety may worsen at the start of treatment and with each dose increase.

//Panic disorder//—introduce antidepressants carefully at a conservative dose. SSRIs are now often regarded as first line drugs, although TCAs, MAOIs and short term benzodiazepines are all considered effective. //Social phobia//—TCAs, MAOIs (including moclobemide), venlafaxine and SSRIs may be effective. //Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)//—SSRIs (especially fluoxetine) and clomipramine have proven efficacy. The dose of SSRI needed is often higher than for depression.

Additional Resources
[|AMH - Anxiety Disorders] [|Better Health: Anxiety - Treatment]: talks about many non-drug treatments dealing with anxiety [|Women's Health - Anxiety] [|Anxiety Australia - Anxiety Disorders]: provides general information on each of the disorders //Pharmacology 301// [|Sedative - Hypnotics]
 * Lecture Notes:**