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Chapter 21/22: Mental Illness ANXIETY (Anxiety Disorders (Panic disorder…
Chapter 21/22: Mental Illness ANXIETY
Biological bases of anxiety disorders: genetic predisposition/stressful life event
amygdala
dysregulation of amygdala (promoting INAPPROPRIATE fear responding)
diminished projection from cortex to amygdala, which normally modulates fear and anxiety responses
less executive control over fearful and anxious responses
Panic disorder patients had FEWER binding sites for benzodiazepine in frontal cortex
benzodiazepines bind to a site on GABA receptor that makes receptor MUCH MORE responsive to GABA (enhance function)
GABA is critical in proper brain function because it produces inhibition
too much inhibition --> coma
too little inhibition --> seizures
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized anxiety disorder
restless, irritable
difficulty concentrating
significant problems with school, work, relationships
Panic disorder
attack of sympathetic activity (fight or flight)
racing heart, sweating, feeling of impending doom
avoidance behaviors (agoraphobia)
recurrent, unexpected
Phobias
intense, disproportionate fear of a specific object or situation
height, flying, specific animals, social situations
Other disorders w/ high anxiety levels, but are not "anxiety disorders"
Post-traumatic stress disorder
psychological trauma
increased anxiety
intrusive memories
flashbacks
irritability
emotional numbness
OCD
obsession
recurring intrusive thoughts
produce severe anxiety
compulsion
repetitive behaviors or acts to relieve anxiety
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
cognitive behavioral therapy
gradually expose the patient to the stimuli that causes anxiety, reinforce idea that stimuli is not dangerous
Anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) drugs
Benzodiazepines bind to GABA receptor, enhance function
suppress activity in emotion circuits
SSRIs (serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors)
prolong actions of 5-HT by BLOCKING reuptake