Anxiety

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

Anxiety is a physiological state marked by demonstrable changes in cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components. [1] These changes combine to create the sensations typically recognized as fear, apprehension, or worry. Anxiety is also often accompanied by physical sensations such as heart palpitations, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach aches, or headache.

Cognitive changes point to an expectation of both present and diffuse danger. Somatically, the body prepares the organism to deal with a perceived threat; blood pressure and heart rate increase, perspiration and bloodflow to the major muscle groups increases, while immune and digestive functions are inhibited. External somatic indicators may present as pale skin, sweating, trembling, and/or pupillary dilation. Emotionally, anxiety induces a sense of dread or panic, and behavior directed at escaping or avoiding the source of anxiety may arise, as the anxiety reaction is an important survival mechanism.

## Contents

* 1 Neurological considerations
* 2 Diagnosis
* 3 Treatment
* 3.1 Non drug treatment
* 3.2 Drug therapy
* 3.3 Monitoring the response to treatment
* 4 References

## Neurological considerations[edit]

Neurological systems that underlie anxiety include the amygdala and hippocampus. [2]. When confronted with unpleasant and potentially harmful stimuli, such as foul odors or tastes, PET-scans show increased bloodflow through the amygdala, while participants reported moderate, but measurable, anxiety. This indicates that anxiety may be a protective mechanism designed to prevent the organism from engaging in potentially harmful behaviors. [3] [4]

## Diagnosis[edit]

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 2 (GAD-2) may screen patients.[5] The GAD-2 scale is the first two items of the GAD-7 scale. Two or more points has:[5]

* sensitivity 95%
* specificity 64%

The GAD-7 scale may diagnose patients. A score of 10 or more has accuracy of:[5]

* sensitivity 89%
* specificity 82%

The Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) has five items may help diagnose and monitor.[6][7][8] Accuracy of a score of ≥ 8 is:[6]

* Sensitivity 89%
* Specificity 71%

The Kessler-6 scale has been studied.[9] However, at a cutoff of 13 or more points, the accuracy is:

* Sensitivity 36%
* Specificity 96%

The Clinical Interview Schedule Revision (CIS-R) can help screen and diagnose.[10]

## Treatment[edit]

Treatment has been reviewed by the British National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).[11][12]

### Non drug treatment[edit]

Exercise may reduce anxiety.[13]

Cognitive behavioral therapy may help anxiety.[14][15]

### Drug therapy[edit]

Evidence summary from NICE of selected medications.[12] | Evidence base | Relative risk of
non-response | Relative risk of
Drug toxicity

|
|
|

Sertraline | Trials: 2
(706 patients) | 0.70* | 1.1
Nausea
Sexual
Venlafaxine | Trials: 12
(3470 patients) | 0.80* | 2.06*
Nausea
Sexual
Insomnia
Citalopram | Trials: 1
(34 patients) | 0.46* | 3.0
Escitalopram | Trials: 6
(2136 patients) | 0.78 | 1.72*
Nausea
Sexual

Paroxetine | Trials: 8
(2748 patients) | 0.91 | 2.5*
Nausea
Sexual
Insomnia
Pregabalin | Trials: 8
(2079 patients) | 0.79* | 1.3
Dizziness
Fatigue
Buspirone | Trials: 5
(806 patients) | 0.87 | 2.0*
Nausea
Dizziness
Hydroxyzine | Trials: 3
(482 patients) | 0.81 | 1.48
Little short term toxicity
Alprazolam | Trials: 4
(544 patients) | 0.87 | 1.3
Little short term toxicity
* P< 0.05

According to NICE, the first medications to use are selective serotonin uptake inhibitors or serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (both are classes of second-generation antidepressants).[16][11][12] SSRis are "likely to be beneficial" according to Clinical Evidence.[17] Escitalopram has uncertain benefit in patients aged 60 years or older according to a randomized controlled trial.[18]

Pregabalin is recommended by NICE after SSRIs.[12] Pregabalin increases dizziness and fatigue.[12] NICE performed meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials include the two largest by Phohl[19] and Rickels[20]. One randomized controlled trial cited by NICE directly compared pregabalin with venlafaxine.[21] Pregabilin is "likely to be beneficial" according to Clinical Evidence.[17]

Azapirones, such as buspirone may help, but have drug toxicity. Buspirone is "likely to be beneficial" according to Clinical Evidence.[17] Buspirone may increase nausea and dizziness.[12]

Benzodiazepines have long been the core of short-term pharmacologic therapy, although some are habit forming and their usefulness may decrease over time.

The antipsychotic agent quetiapine may reduce anxiety.[22]

The cholinergic antagonist hydroxyzine may help.[23]

### Monitoring the response to treatment[edit]

The Daily Assessment of Symptoms - Anxiety (DAS-A) scale can help.[24]

The Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (SIGH-A) scale can help;[25][26]; however, the SIGH-A may not well detect panic symptoms.[25] A 40% decrease is considered a response.[25]

The Brief Symptom Inventory (BIS) adapted from the longer SCL-90-R can help.[27][14]

The Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) can help.[6][14]

The Kessler 6 scale can help.[28]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Seligman, M.E.P., Walker, E.F. & Rosenhan, D.L. (2001). Abnormal psychology, (4th ed.) New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
2. ↑ Rosen, J.B. & Schulkin, J. (1998): "From normal fear to pathological anxiety". Psychological Review. 105(2); 325-350.
3. ↑ Zald, D.H. & Pardo, J.V. (1997). "Emotion, olfaction, and the human amygdala: amygdala activation during aversive olfactory stimulation." Proc Nat'l Acad Sci USA. 94(8), 4119-24.
4. ↑ Zald, D.H., Hagen, M.C. & Pardo, J.V. (2002). "Neural correlates of tasting concentrated quinine and sugar solutions". J. Neurophysiol. 87(2), 1068-75.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB, Monahan PO, Löwe B (2007). "Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection.". Ann Intern Med 146 (5): 317-25. PMID 17339617. Review in: Evid Based Med. 2007 Oct;12(5):149
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Campbell-Sills L, Norman SB, Craske MG, Sullivan G, Lang AJ, Chavira DA et al. (2009). "Validation of a brief measure of anxiety-related severity and impairment: the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS).". J Affect Disord 112 (1-3): 92-101. DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2008.03.014. PMID 18486238. PMC PMC2629402. Research Blogging.
7. ↑ Norman SB, Cissell SH, Means-Christensen AJ, Stein MB (2006). "Development and validation of an Overall Anxiety Severity And Impairment Scale (OASIS).". Depress Anxiety 23 (4): 245-9. DOI:10.1002/da.20182. PMID 16688739. Research Blogging.
8. ↑ Roy-Byrne P, Veitengruber JP, Bystritsky A, Edlund MJ, Sullivan G, Craske MG et al. (2009). "Brief intervention for anxiety in primary care patients.". J Am Board Fam Med 22 (2): 175-86. DOI:10.3122/jabfm.2009.02.080078. PMID 19264941. PMC PMC2896069. Research Blogging.
9. ↑ Kessler RC, Barker PR, Colpe LJ, Epstein JF, Gfroerer JC, Hiripi E et al. (2003). "Screening for serious mental illness in the general population.". Arch Gen Psychiatry 60 (2): 184-9. PMID 12578436.
10. ↑ Singleton N, Bumpstead R, O'Brien M, Lee A, Meltzer H. [Singleton N, Bumpstead R, O'Brien M, Lee A, Meltzer H. National Statistics: Psychiatric Morbidity Among Adults Living in Private Households, 2000. London: The Stationery Office; 2000:154. National Statistics: Psychiatric Morbidity Among Adults Living in Private Households, 2000]. London: The Stationery Office; 2000:154.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kendall T, Cape J, Chan M, Taylor C, On behalf of the Guideline Development Group (2011). "Management of generalised anxiety disorder in adults: summary of NICE guidance.". BMJ 342: c7460. DOI:10.1136/bmj.c7460. PMID 21270081. Research Blogging.
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2011). Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) in adults
13. ↑ Herring MP, O'Connor PJ, Dishman RK (2010). "The effect of exercise training on anxiety symptoms among patients: a systematic review.". Arch Intern Med 170 (4): 321-31. DOI:10.1001/archinternmed.2009.530. PMID 20177034. Research Blogging.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Roy-Byrne P, Craske MG, Sullivan G, Rose RD, Edlund MJ, Lang AJ et al. (2010). "Delivery of evidence-based treatment for multiple anxiety disorders in primary care: a randomized controlled trial.". JAMA 303 (19): 1921-8. DOI:10.1001/jama.2010.608. PMID 20483968. Research Blogging.
15. ↑ Stanley MA, Wilson NL, Novy DM, Rhoades HM, Wagener PD, Greisinger AJ et al. (2009). "Cognitive behavior therapy for generalized anxiety disorder among older adults in primary care: a randomized clinical trial.". JAMA 301 (14): 1460-7. DOI:10.1001/jama.2009.458. PMID 19351943. Research Blogging. Review in: Evid Based Ment Health. 2010 Feb;13(1):20
16. ↑ Baldwin D, Woods R, Lawson R, Taylor D (2011). "Efficacy of drug treatments for generalised anxiety disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.". BMJ 342: d1199. DOI:10.1136/bmj.d1199. PMID 21398351. Research Blogging.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Gale CK, Millichamp J (2007). "Generalised anxiety disorder.". Clin Evid (Online) 2007. PMID 19450347. PMC PMC2943796. [e]
18. ↑ Lenze EJ, Rollman BL, Shear MK, Dew MA, Pollock BG, Ciliberti C et al. (2009). "Escitalopram for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized controlled trial.". JAMA 301 (3): 295-303. DOI:10.1001/jama.2008.977. PMID 19155456. PMC PMC2840403. Research Blogging. Review in: Evid Based Ment Health. 2009 Aug;12(3):87
19. ↑ Pohl RB, Feltner DE, Fieve RR, Pande AC (2005). "Efficacy of pregabalin in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of BID versus TID dosing.". J Clin Psychopharmacol 25 (2): 151-8. PMID 15738746. [e]
20. ↑ Rickels K, Pollack MH, Feltner DE, Lydiard RB, Zimbroff DL, Bielski RJ et al. (2005). "Pregabalin for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a 4-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pregabalin and alprazolam.". Arch Gen Psychiatry 62 (9): 1022-30. DOI:10.1001/archpsyc.62.9.1022. PMID 16143734. Research Blogging.
21. ↑ Kasper, Siegfried; Barry Herman, Giancarlo Nivoli, Michael Van Ameringen, Antonino Petralia, Francine S. Mandel, Francesca Baldinetti, Borwin Bandelow (2009). "Efficacy of pregabalin and venlafaxine-XR in generalized anxiety disorder: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled 8-week trial". International Clinical Psychopharmacology 24 (2). ISSN 0268-1315.
22. ↑ Depping AM, Komossa K, Kissling W, Leucht S (2010). "Second-generation antipsychotics for anxiety disorders.". Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12: CD008120. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD008120.pub2. PMID 21154392. Research Blogging.
23. ↑ Guaiana G, Barbui C, Cipriani A (2010). "Hydroxyzine for generalised anxiety disorder.". Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12: CD006815. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD006815.pub2. PMID 21154375. Research Blogging.
24. ↑ Morlock RJ, Williams VS, Cappelleri JC, Harness J, Fehnel SE, Endicott J et al. (2008). "Development and evaluation of the Daily Assessment of Symptoms - Anxiety (DAS-A) scale to evaluate onset of symptom relief in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.". J Psychiatr Res 42 (12): 1024-36. DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2007.09.005. PMID 18061206. Research Blogging.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Rollman BL, Belnap BH, Mazumdar S, Houck PR, Zhu F, Gardner W et al. (2005). "A randomized trial to improve the quality of treatment for panic and generalized anxiety disorders in primary care.". Arch Gen Psychiatry 62 (12): 1332-41. DOI:10.1001/archpsyc.62.12.1332. PMID 16330721. Research Blogging.
26. ↑ Shear MK, Vander Bilt J, Rucci P, Endicott J, Lydiard B, Otto MW et al. (2001). "Reliability and validity of a structured interview guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (SIGH-A).". Depress Anxiety 13 (4): 166-78. PMID 11413563.
27. ↑ Derogatis LR, Melisaratos N (1983). "The Brief Symptom Inventory: an introductory report.". Psychol Med 13 (3): 595-605. PMID 6622612.
28. ↑ Kessler RC, Andrews G, Colpe LJ, Hiripi E, Mroczek DK, Normand SL et al. (2002). "Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress.". Psychol Med 32 (6): 959-76. PMID 12214795. [e]