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