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