ANXIETY DISORDERS

EDUCATIONAL FORUM ON BIPOLAR DISORDER

AND ANXIETY DISORDERS

DR. ROBIN REESALMedical Director

Centre for Depression and AnxietyAdjunct Associate Professor

Queen’s University

ANXIETY DISORDERS

• INTRODUCTION• STRESS• NORMAL ANXIETY• ANXIETY DISORDERS• MEDICAL CUSES OF ANXIETY• TREATMENTS• SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Why Discuss Anxiety Disorders?

• It is the most common mental illness in the U.S. with 19 million (13%) adults between ages 18 – 54 affected

• In Canada anxiety disorders are one of the top three disorders, mood and substance abuse disorders being common

• Cost to U.S. economy $42 billion

• People with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses

• 3 – 5 times more likely to go to the doctor; one of the commonest reasons for Albertans to go to the doctor

STRESS !

WHAT IS STRESS?

• WHAT IS POSITIVE STRESS?

• WHAT IS NEGATIVE STRESS?

WHAT IS ANXIETY?

“FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE”

WHAT IS NORMAL ANXIETY?

Feeling of Alarm, “Worry”

Specific

Non-specific

Short Period of Time

Does not Cause Impairment in Social

or Occupational Functioning

WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY?

• PSYCHOLOGICAL– External Cues– Internal Cues

• PHYSICAL– External Cues– Internal Cues

HOW DOES ANXIETY OCCUR?

electrical changes

Cue Brain psychological

physical

behavioural

chemical changes hormones

WHAT IS ABNORMAL ANXIETY?

• PROLONGED ANXIETY

• THAT AFFECTS SOCIAL LIFE

• THAT AFFECTS WORK LIFE

ABNORMAL ANXIETY

EQUALS

ANXIETY DISORDER

ANXIETY DISORDERS

WHO GETS ANXIETY DISORDERS?

• All Ages

• Both Sexes

TYPES OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

• SPECIFIC PHOBIA 4.5%

• PANIC DISORDER ± AGORAPHOBIA 2%

• SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER 4%

• POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER 3.5%

• OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER 2.5%

• GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER 3%

MEDICAL CAUSES

OF ANXIETY

MEDICAL CAUSES OF ANXIETY

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

FOODS

BEVERAGES

HERBAL TREATMENTS

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

STREET DRUGS

TREATMENTS

TYPES OF TREATMENTS

• COUNSELLING / PSYCHOTHERAPY– Cognitive– Behaviour– Interpersonal

• DRUG THERAPIES– Minor Tranquilizers– Antidepressant / Anti anxiety

LENGTH OF TREATMENT

• SHORT TERM

• LONG TERM

SUMMARY

STRESS

NORMAL ANXIETY

ANXIETY DISORDERS

MEDICAL CAUSES OF ANXIETY