ANXIETY DISORDERS EDUCATIONAL FORUM ON BIPOLAR DISORDER AND ANXIETY DISORDERS DR. ROBIN REESAL Medical Director Centre for Depression and Anxiety Adjunct.

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