Jump to content

Generalized anxiety disorder: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 90: Line 90:
{{Main|Benzodiazepine}}
{{Main|Benzodiazepine}}


[[Benzodiazepines]] (or "benzos") are fast-acting hypnotic [[sedatives]] depressants that are also used to treat GAD and other [[anxiety disorders]].<ref name="mayo" /> Benzodiazepines are often prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and show beneficial effects in the short term. The World Council of Anxiety does not recommend the long-term use of benzodiazepines because they are associated with the development of [[drug tolerance|tolerance]], [[psychomotor impairment]], cognitive and memory impairments, [[physical dependence]] and a [[benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome|withdrawal syndrome]].<ref name="Allgulander-2003">{{Cite journal | last1 = Allgulander | first1 = C. | last2 = Bandelow | first2 = B. | last3 = Hollander | first3 = E. | last4 = Montgomery | first4 = SA. | last5 = Nutt | first5 = DJ. | last6 = Okasha | first6 = A. | last7 = Pollack | first7 = MH. | last8 = Stein | first8 = DJ. | last9 = Swinson | first9 = RP. | title = WCA recommendations for the long-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. | journal = CNS Spectr | volume = 8 | issue = 8 Suppl 1 | pages = 53–61 | month = Aug | year = 2003 | doi = | pmid = 14767398 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Stewart SH, Westra HA |title=Benzodiazepine side-effects: from the bench to the clinic |journal=Curr. Pharm. Des. |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=1–3 |year=2002 |pmid=11812246 |doi= 10.2174/1381612023396708|url=http://www.bentham-direct.org/pages/content.php?CPD/2002/00000008/00000001/0001B.SGM}}</ref> Side effects include [[drowsiness]], reduced [[motor coordination]] and problems with [[equilibrioception]]. Common benzodiazepines used to treat GAD include<ref name="mayo" />:
[[Benzodiazepines]] (or "benzos") are fast-acting hypnotic [[sedative]] depressants that are also used to treat GAD and other [[anxiety disorders]].<ref name="mayo" /> Benzodiazepines are prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and show beneficial effects in the short term. However, they have long term adverse effects and for this reason the FDA has only approved them for short term usage (6-12 weeks). The World Council of Anxiety does not recommend the long-term use of benzodiazepines because they are associated with the development of [[drug tolerance|tolerance]], [[psychomotor impairment]], cognitive and memory impairments, [[physical dependence]] and a [[benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome|withdrawal syndrome]].<ref name="Allgulander-2003">{{Cite journal | last1 = Allgulander | first1 = C. | last2 = Bandelow | first2 = B. | last3 = Hollander | first3 = E. | last4 = Montgomery | first4 = SA. | last5 = Nutt | first5 = DJ. | last6 = Okasha | first6 = A. | last7 = Pollack | first7 = MH. | last8 = Stein | first8 = DJ. | last9 = Swinson | first9 = RP. | title = WCA recommendations for the long-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. | journal = CNS Spectr | volume = 8 | issue = 8 Suppl 1 | pages = 53–61 | month = Aug | year = 2003 | doi = | pmid = 14767398 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Stewart SH, Westra HA |title=Benzodiazepine side-effects: from the bench to the clinic |journal=Curr. Pharm. Des. |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=1–3 |year=2002 |pmid=11812246 |doi= 10.2174/1381612023396708|url=http://www.bentham-direct.org/pages/content.php?CPD/2002/00000008/00000001/0001B.SGM}}</ref> Side effects include [[drowsiness]], reduced [[motor coordination]] and problems with [[equilibrioception]]. Common benzodiazepines used to treat GAD include<ref name="mayo" />:


* [[alprazolam]] (Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam)
* [[alprazolam]] (Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam)

Revision as of 15:41, 19 April 2011

Generalized anxiety disorder
SpecialtyPsychiatry, psychology Edit this on Wikidata

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things that is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. This excessive worry often interferes with daily functioning, as individuals suffering GAD typically anticipate disaster, and are overly concerned about everyday matters such as health issues, money, death, family problems, friend problems, relationship problems or work difficulties.[1]. Individuals often exhibit a variety of physical symptoms, including fatigue, fidgeting, headaches, nausea, numbness in hands and feet, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, bouts of difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, trembling, twitching, irritability, agitation, sweating, restlessness, insomnia, hot flashes, and rashes and inability to fully control the anxiety. (ICD-10).[2] These symptoms must be consistent and on-going, persisting at least 6 months, for a formal diagnosis of GAD to be introduced.[1] Generalised anxiety disorder is estimated to occur in 5% of the general population. Women are generally more affected than men.[3]

Standardized rating scales such as GAD-7 can be used to assess severity of generalized anxiety disorder symptoms.[4] It is the most common cause of disability in the workplace in the United States.[5]

Prevalence

The World Health Organization's Global Burden of Disease project did not include generalized anxiety disorders.[6] In lieu of global statistics, here are some prevalence rates from around the world:

  • Australia: 3 percent of adults[6]
  • Canada: Between 3-5 percent of adults[citation needed]
  • Italy: 2.9 percent[7]
  • Taiwan: 0.4 percent[7]
  • United States: approx. 3.1 percent of people age 18 and over in a given year (9.5 million) [8]

55 to 60 percent of people diagnosed in clinical settings are women.[citation needed]

Epidemiology

The usual age of onset is variable - from childhood to late adulthood, with the median age of onset being approximately 31 (Kessler, Berguland, et al., 2005). Most studies find that GAD is associated with an earlier and more gradual onset than the other anxiety disorders.

Women are two to three times more likely to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder than men, although this finding appears to be restricted to only developed countries, the spread of GAD is somewhat equal in developing nations. GAD is also common in the elderly population.[9]

Potential causes

Some research suggests that GAD may run in families,[10] and it may also grow worse during stress. GAD usually begins at an earlier age and symptoms may manifest themselves more slowly than in most other anxiety disorders.[11] Some people with GAD report onset in early adulthood, usually in response to a life stressor. Once GAD develops, it can be chronic, but can be managed, if not all-but-alleviated, with proper treatment.[12]

Substance induced

Long-term use of benzodiazepines can worsen underlying anxiety.[13][14] with evidence that reduction of benzodiazepines can lead to a lessening of anxiety symptoms.[15] Similarly, long-term alcohol use is associated with anxiety disorders,[16] with evidence that prolonged abstinence can result in a disappearance of anxiety symptoms.[17]

In one study in 1988–1990, illness in approximately half of patients attending mental health services at British hospital psychiatric clinic, for conditions including anxiety disorders such as panic disorder or social phobia, was determined to be the result of alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence. In these patients, anxiety symptoms, while worsening initially during the withdrawal phase, disappeared with abstinence from benzodiazepines or alcohol. Sometimes anxiety pre-existed alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence but the dependence was acting to keep the anxiety disorders going and often progressively making them worse. Recovery from benzodiazepines tends to take a lot longer than recovery from alcohol but people can regain their previous good health.[18]

Neurology

Generalized anxiety disorder has been linked to disrupted functional connectivity of the amygdala and its processing of fear and anxiety.[19] Sensory information enters the amygdala through the nuclei of the basolateral complex (consisting of lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei). The basolateral complex processes sensory-related fear memories and communicate their threat importance to memory and sensory processing elsewhere in the brain such as the medial prefrontal cortex and sensory cortices. Another area the adjacent central nucleus of the amygdala that controls species-specific fear responses its connections brainstem, hypothalamus, and cerebellum areas. In those with general anxiety disorder these connections functionally seem to be less distinct and there is greater gray matter in the central nucleus. Another difference is that the amygdala areas have decreased connectivity with the insula and cingulate areas that control general stimulus salience while having greater connectivity with the parietal cortex and prefrontal cortex circuits that underlie executive functions.[19] The latter suggests a compensation strategy for dysfunctional amygdala processing of anxiety. This is consistent with cognitive theories that suggest the use in this disorder of attempts to reduce the involvement of emotions with compensatory cognitive strategies.[19]

Diagnosis

DSM-IV-TR criteria

DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder are as follows:

  • Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).
  • The person finds it difficult to control the worry.
  • The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months).

- restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
- being easily fatigued
- difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- irritability
- muscle tension
- sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)

  • The focus of the anxiety and worry is not confined to features of other Axis I disorder (such as social phobia, OCD, PTSD etc.)
  • The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
  • The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism)[20]

ICD-10 criteria

Treatment

A meta-analysis of 35 studies[21] shows cognitive behavioral therapy to be more effective in the long term than pharmacologic treatment (drugs such as SSRIs), and while both treatments reduce anxiety, CBT is more effective in reducing depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Main article: Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological method of treatment for GAD that involves a therapist working with the patient to understand how thoughts and feelings influence behavior.[22] The goal of the therapy is to change negative thought patterns that lead to the patient's anxiety, replacing them with positive, more realistic ones. Elements of the therapy include exposure strategies to allow the patient to gradually confront their anxieties and feel more comfortable in anxiety-provoking situations, as well as to practice the skills they have learned. CBT can be used alone or in conjunction with medication.[23]

CBT usually helps one third of the patients substantially, whilst another third does not respond at all to treatment.[24]

SSRIs

Main article: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Pharmaceutical treatments for GAD include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),[23] which are antidepressants that influence brain chemistry to block the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain.[25] SSRIs are mainly indicated for clinical depression, but are also very effective in treating anxiety disorders.[23] Common side effects include nausea, sexual dysfunction, headache, diarrhea, constipation, among others. Common SSRIs prescribed for GAD include:

Pregabalin

Main article: Pregabalin

Pregabalin (Lyrica) acts on the voltage-dependent calcium channel in order to decrease the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate, noradrenaline and substance P. Its therapeutic effect appears after 1 week of use and is similar in effectiveness to lorazepam, alprazolam and venlafaxine but pregabalin has demonstrated superiority by producing more consistent therapeutic effects for psychic and somatic anxiety symptoms. Long-term trials have shown continued effectiveness without the development of tolerance and additionally unlike benzodiazepines it does not disrupt sleep architecture and produces less severe cognitive and psychomotor impairment; it also has a low potential for abuse and dependence and may be preferred over the benzodiazepines for these reasons.[26][27]

Other drugs

Benzodiazepines

Main article: Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines (or "benzos") are fast-acting hypnotic sedative depressants that are also used to treat GAD and other anxiety disorders.[23] Benzodiazepines are prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and show beneficial effects in the short term. However, they have long term adverse effects and for this reason the FDA has only approved them for short term usage (6-12 weeks). The World Council of Anxiety does not recommend the long-term use of benzodiazepines because they are associated with the development of tolerance, psychomotor impairment, cognitive and memory impairments, physical dependence and a withdrawal syndrome.[28][29] Side effects include drowsiness, reduced motor coordination and problems with equilibrioception. Common benzodiazepines used to treat GAD include[23]:

GAD and comorbid depression

In the National Comorbidity Survey (2005), 58% of patients diagnosed with major depression were found to have an anxiety disorder; among these patients, the rate of comorbidity with GAD was 17.2%, and with panic disorder, 9.9%. Patients with a diagnosed anxiety disorder also had high rates of comorbid depression, including 22.4% of patients with social phobia, 9.4% with agoraphobia, and 2.3% with panic disorder. For many, the symptoms of both depression and anxiety are not severe enough (i.e. are subsyndromal) to justify a primary diagnosis of either major depressive disorder (MDD) or an anxiety disorder. However, Dysthymic Disorder is the most prevalent comorbid diagnosis of GAD clients.

Patients can also be categorized as having mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, and they are at significantly increased risk of developing full-blown depression or anxiety.

Accumulating evidence indicates that patients with comorbid depression and anxiety tend to have greater illness severity and a lower treatment response than those with either disorder alone.[30] In addition, social function and quality of life are more greatly impaired.

In addition to coexisting with depression, research shows that GAD often coexists with substance abuse or other conditions associated with stress, such as irritable bowel syndrome.[31] Patients with physical symptoms such as insomnia or headaches should also tell their doctors about their feelings of worry and tension. This will help the patient's health care provider to recognize whether the person is suffering from GAD.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Anxiety Disorders", National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed 28 May 2008.
  2. ^ International Classification od Diseases) ICD-10
  3. ^ Vanin J.R., Helsley J.d., 2008. Anxiety Disorders: A Pocket Guide For Primary Care.Humana Press, New Jersey.
  4. ^ Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, et al A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006 May 22;166(10):1092-7.
  5. ^ Ballenger, JC (2001). "Consensus statement on generalized anxiety disorder from the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety". The Journal of clinical psychiatry. 62 Suppl 11: 53–8. PMID 11414552. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b "Relating the burden of anxiety and depression to effectiveness of treatment", World Health Organization.
  7. ^ a b eMedicine - Anxiety Disorders : Article Excerpt by William R Yates
  8. ^ "The Numbers Count", National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed 28 May 2007.
  9. ^ Cameron, Alasdair (2004). Crash Course Psychiatry. Elsevier Ltd. ISBN 0-7234-3340-8. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help); Unknown parameter |isbn-status= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Kendler, KS; Neale, MC; Kessler, RC; Heath, AC; Eaves, LJ (1992). "Generalized anxiety disorder in women. A population-based twin study". Archives of General Psychiatry. 49 (4): 267–72. PMID 1558460. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |author-name-separator= (help); Unknown parameter |author-separator= ignored (help)
  11. ^ Robins LN, Regier DA, eds. Psychiatric disorders in America: the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press, 1991.
  12. ^ Rickels, K (1990). "The Clinical Course and Long Term Management of Generalised Anxiety Disorder". J Clinical Psychopharmocology. 10. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Galanter, Marc (1 July 2008). The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment (American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment) (4 ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-58562-276-4.
  14. ^ Ashton H (2005). "The diagnosis and management of benzodiazepine dependence" (PDF). Curr Opin Psychiatry. 18 (3): 249–55. doi:10.1097/01.yco.0000165594.60434.84. PMID 16639148.
  15. ^ Lindsay, S.J.E.; Powell, Graham E., eds. (28 July 1998). The Handbook of Clinical Adult Psychology (2nd ed.). Routledge. p. 173. ISBN 978-0415072151. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |chapterurl= (help)
  16. ^ Cargiulo T (2007). "Understanding the health impact of alcohol dependence". Am J Health Syst Pharm. 64 (5 Suppl 3): S5–11. doi:10.2146/ajhp060647. PMID 17322182. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  17. ^ Wetterling T; Junghanns, K (2000). "Psychopathology of alcoholics during withdrawal and early abstinence". Eur Psychiatry. 15 (8): 483–8. doi:10.1016/S0924-9338(00)00519-8. ISSN 0924-9338. PMID 11175926. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. ^ Cohen SI (1995). "Alcohol and benzodiazepines generate anxiety, panic and phobias". J R Soc Med. 88 (2): 73–7. PMC 1295099. PMID 7769598. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  19. ^ a b c Etkin, A; Prater, KE; Schatzberg, AF; Menon, V; Greicius, MD. (2009). "Disrupted amygdalar subregion functional connectivity and evidence of a compensatory network in generalized anxiety disorder". Arch Gen Psychiatry. 66 (12): 1361–72. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.104. PMID 19996041. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |author-name-separator= (help); Unknown parameter |author-separator= ignored (help)
  20. ^ American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Revised. Text revision. Psychiatric Press, Inc., Washington, DC: 2000
  21. ^ http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(97)80048-2
  22. ^ "A Guide to Understanding Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies", British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. Accessed 29 May 2007.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Generalized anxiety disorder", Mayo Clinic. Accessed 29 May 2007.
  24. ^ Barlow, D. H.: (2007) Clincical Handbook of Psychological Disorders, 4th ed.
  25. ^ "SSRIs", Mayo Clinic. Accessed 29 May 2007.
  26. ^ Bandelow, B.; Wedekind, D.; Leon, T. (2007). "Pregabalin for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a novel pharmacologic intervention". Expert Rev Neurother. 7 (7): 769–81. doi:10.1586/14737175.7.7.769. PMID 17610384. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  27. ^ Owen, RT. (2007). "Pregabalin: its efficacy, safety and tolerability profile in generalized anxiety". Drugs Today (Barc). 43 (9): 601–10. doi:10.1358/dot.2007.43.9.1133188. PMID 17940637. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  28. ^ Allgulander, C.; Bandelow, B.; Hollander, E.; Montgomery, SA.; Nutt, DJ.; Okasha, A.; Pollack, MH.; Stein, DJ.; Swinson, RP. (2003). "WCA recommendations for the long-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder". CNS Spectr. 8 (8 Suppl 1): 53–61. PMID 14767398. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  29. ^ Stewart SH, Westra HA (2002). "Benzodiazepine side-effects: from the bench to the clinic". Curr. Pharm. Des. 8 (1): 1–3. doi:10.2174/1381612023396708. PMID 11812246.
  30. ^ Wolitzky-Taylor, K.B.; Castriotta, N.; Lenze, E.J.; Stanley, M.A.; Craske, M.G. (2010). "Anxiety disorders in older adults: a comprehensive review". Depress Anxiety. 27 (2): 190–211. doi:10.1002/da.20653. PMID 20099273. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  31. ^ Lee, S.; Wu, J.; Ma, Y.L.; Tsang, A.; Guo, W.J.; Sung, J (2009). "Irritable bowel syndrome is strongly associated with generalized anxiety disorder: a community study". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 30 (6): 643–51. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04074.x. PMID 19552631. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

Further reading

  • Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27.
  • Brown, T.A., O'Leary, T.A., & Barlow, D.H. (2001). Generalised anxiety disorder. In D.H. Barlow (Ed.), Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: A step-by-step treatment manual (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
  • Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (2005). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach. Australia; Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Generalized_anxiety_disorder&oldid=424871233"