The Anxiety Disorders A Patient-Centered, Evidence-Based Diagnostic and Treatment Process 1 Kendall L. Stewart, MD, MBA, DLFAPA September 20, This is problem-oriented learning with numerous links to supporting resource material.

Why should you learn about these disorders? They are the most common mental disorders. These disorders are frequently missed, ignored or mistreated.missed These disorders cause substantial distress and impairment. 1 Patients with these disorders over-utilize other medical services. 2,3 Many physicians still lump these disorders and minimize them as “nerves.” These disorders can usually be effectively treated.effectively treated 1 Significant distress and/or impairment are required to make a psychiatric diagnosis. 2 Anxiety and depression are frequently masked by physical complaints. 3 One of my elderly patients never talked about her anxiety, only the “burning in my head.”

What are some of the physical manifestations of anxiety? Diarrhea Dizziness or light- headedness Hyperhidrosis Hyperreflexia Hypertension Palpitations Pupillary mydriasis Restlessness Syncope Tachycardia Tingling in the extremities Tremors 1,2,3 Upset stomach (“butterflies”) Urinary frequency, hesitancy, urgency 1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging.

What are some of the mental manifestations of anxiety? Apprehension Vigilance Scanning Shame Confusion Distortion of perception Decreased concentration Poor recall Impaired association Selective inattention False assumption 1,2 1 Anxious patients always assume the worst. 2 One of my patients noted, “You don’t look so good.”

What clinical algorithm 1,2 will assist you in making a correct anxiety diagnosis? “Normal” Anxiety Disorders Anxiety 2 o to Gen Med Cond Substance- Induced Anxiety Anxiety Assoc With Another Mental Disorder Etc. Gen Anxiety Disorder Etc. PTSD OCD Social Anxiety Disorder Specific Phobia Agoraphobia Panic Disorder Adjustment Disorders Hypoglycemia Hypothyroidism CHF Pulmonary Embolism COPD Caffeine Alcohol Stimulants Anesthetics Sedatives Mood Disorder Cognitive Disorder Dissociative Disorder Etc. 1 These categories form an excellent conceptual algorithm for evaluating psychiatric symptoms in clinical practice. 2 Always remember to ask about caffeine.

What is the difference between normal and pathologic anxiety? It is often impossible to tell at the time. Consider whether the anxiety or fear promotes adaptation or causes impairment. Consider the trigger, the duration and the degree of impairment. Whether a given distress is judged normal or pathologic depends on one’s resources, psychological defenses, and coping mechanisms. 1,2psychological defenses “Is this more than the usual ups and downs of life?” will often point the physician in the right direction. 1 Strong emotion of any sort impairs your ability to think clearly and act rationally. 2 One of my patients came out of the restroom to find the atrium door locked. The sign on my door may have discouraged potential rescuers. All she needed to do was turn the deadbolt and walk out.

What disorders are included in the Anxiety Disorders category? Separation Anxiety Disorder Selective Mutism Specific Phobia Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) Panic Disorder Panic Attack Specifier (not a diagnosis) Agoraphobia Generalized Anxiety Disorder Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition Other Specified Anxiety Disorder Unspecified Anxiety Disorder

What disorders are included in the Obsessive-Compulsive category? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Body Dysmorphic Disorder Hoarding Disorder Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder) Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder Substance/Medication-Induced Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorder Other Specified Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorder Unspecified Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorder

What disorders are included in the Trauma- and Stressor-Related category? 1,2 Reactive Attachment Disorder Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Acute Stress Disorder Adjustment Disorders Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder Unspecified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder 1 A number of us are concerned about diagnosis inflation. 2 If you would like to read more about this concern, read Saving Normal by Allen Frances.Saving Normal

What is the epidemiology of anxiety? This in one of the most common groups of psychiatric disorders. One in four persons has diagnosable anxiety disorder. The 12-month prevalence rate is 17.7%. The prevalence of these disorders decreases with higher socioeconomic status.

What is the biological basis of anxiety? 1,2 Autonomic Nervous System – Increased sympathetic tone in anxious patients Neurotransmitters – Norepinephrine – Serotonin – γ- aminobutyric acid (GABA) Brain-Imaging Studies – Some patients with anxiety disorders have functional or anatomical changes. Genetic Studies – Some genetic component clearly contributes to the development of anxiety disorders. Neuroanatomical Considerations – The locus ceruleus and raphe nuclei project to the limbic system. – The limbic system contains a high concentration of GABA A receptors.limbic system – The frontal cerebral cortex is connected with the parahippocampal region, the cingulate gyrus, and the hypothalamus. 1 Kaplan & Sadock, These observations are true for all of the anxiety disorders.

What about Anxiety Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition? 1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging. Anxiety commonly accompanies many different general medical conditions. general medical conditions These underlying conditions cause anxiety via the noradrenergic and perhaps the serotonergic systems. Paroxysmal bouts of anxiety should make clinicians suspicious. The clinical features can be identical to those of the primary anxiety disorders. Primary anxiety disorders generally have their onset before age 35. Anxiety symptoms may persist after the primary disorder is treated. The underlying disorder should be treated first, but the anxiety may need to be addressed separately. 1,2 1 If you decide up front that the patient is a crock, this will set you up for some serious mistakes. 2 One of my “crock” patients presented to the ED with the history of a dilated pupil.

What about Substance/Medication- Induced Anxiety Disorder? 1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging. This is a common consequence of recreational and prescription drug abuse. You must think about it and ask about it every time. Don’t forget about caffeine. The associated clinical features may vary with the substance involved. 1,2 Cognitive impairments in comprehension, calculation and memory usually disappear when the substance is discontinued. The differential diagnosis includes –Primary anxiety disorders –Anxiety due a general medical condition (for which the patient may be receiving the implicated drug) –Mood disorders –Personality disorders –Malingering Removal of the offending substance is the preferred treatment 1 People who take a lot of speed become overtly paranoid. 2 I evaluated a patient at a MHC who was convinced that the FBI was landing UFOs in his backyard.

What about patients who present with mild mixed anxiety and depression? 1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging. These are patients that don’t meet full criteria for either a mood or an anxiety disorder. They are particularly common in primary care practices.primary care On careful examination, they often are depressed; the accompanying anxiety is misleading. This controversial presentation is not a separate diagnosis. This combination of symptoms leads to considerable functional impairment. Up to 2/3 of depressed persons are also anxious and up to 9/10 of panic patients experience depression. If this emerges as a specific diagnosis, it may affect about 1% of the population. The serotonergic drugs are helpful for both the anxiety and depression. 1,2,3 1 These “mixed syndromes” can be very challenging. 2 When in doubt, treat for depression. It is very hard to get patients off benzodiazepines. 3 A number of these patients will report definite benefit from one of the SSRIs.

What treatment options are available? 1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging. Non-medication interventions No treatment Distractions Sensory override strategies Meditation Progressive relaxation exercises Cognitive behavioral therapy Medication Antidepressants Benzodiazepines Atypical antipsychotics Buspirone (Buspar) Antihistamines

What practical guidelines should you follow when prescribing medication for anxiety? 1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging. Make the correct diagnosis first; the treatment differs. Fix the problem that is causing the anxiety if you can. Try every reasonable nonmedical intervention first unless the severity of the symptoms will not allow that. The SSRIs and SNRIs are currently considered the medications of first choice for most anxiety disorders. If you need to block panic attacks immediately, clonazepam (Klonopin) is the go-to drug. Use benzodiazepines for only a brief period of time before tapering—if possible. Encourage exposure and cognitive therapy from the start; pills are rarely the answer by themselves. Support your patients in their management of their chronic illnesses. Use the atypical antipsychotic medications and anticonvulsants for anxiety ONLY as a last resort and after a psychiatric consultation.

1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging. What problems will you face when prescribing antidepressants?

1 Most tremors are worsened by anxiety. 2 I admitted a man from the ED who developed a significant conduction disturbance. 3 I unexpectedly experienced panic when undergoing MR imaging. What problems might you face when prescribing benzodiazepines?

The Psychiatric Interview A Patient-Centered, Evidence-Based Diagnostic and Treatment Process Review my laboratory data and other available records. Tell me what diagnoses you have made. Reassure me. Outline your recommended treatment plan while making sure that I understand. Repeatedly invite my clarifying questions. Be patient with me. Provide me with the appropriate educational resources. Invite me to call you with any additional questions I may have. Make a follow up appointment. Communicate with my other physicians. Introduce yourself using AIDET 1.AIDET Sit down. Make me comfortable by asking some routine demographic questions. Ask me to list all of my problems and concerns. Using my problem list as a guide, ask me clarifying questions about my current illness(es). Using evidence-based diagnostic criteria, make accurate preliminary diagnoses. Ask about my past psychiatric history. Ask about my family and social histories. Clarify my pertinent medical history. Perform an appropriate mental status examination. 1 A cknowledge the patient. I ntroduce yourself. Inform the patient about the D uration of tests or treatment. E xplain what is going to happen next. T hank your patients for the opportunity to serve them.

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Where can you learn more? American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, 2013Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Sadock, B. J. and Sadock V. A., Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry, Third Edition, 2008Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry, Third Edition Stern, et. al., Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry, You can read this text online here.here Flaherty, AH, and Rost, NS, The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Neurology, 2011The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Neurology Stead, L, Stead, SM and Kaufman, M, First Aid© for the Psychiatry Clerkship, Third Edition, 2011First Aid© for the Psychiatry Clerkship, Third Edition Klamen, D, and Pan, P, Psychiatry PreTest Self-Assessment and Review, Thirteenth Edition, 2012Psychiatry PreTest Self-Assessment and Review, Thirteenth Edition Blitzstein, Sean, Lange Q&A Psychiatry, 2011Lange Q&A Psychiatry Ratey, JJ, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, 2008Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain Medina, John, Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Home, Work and School, 2010Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Home, Work and School

Where can you find evidence-based information about mental disorders? Explore the site maintained by the organization where evidence-based medicine began at McMaster University here.here Sign up for the Medscape Best Evidence Newsletters in the specialties of your choice here.here Subscribe to Evidence-Based Mental Health and search a database at the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices maintained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration here.here Explore a limited but useful database of mental health practices that have been "blessed" as evidence-based by various academic, administrative and advocacy groups collected by the Iowa Consortium for Mental Health here.here

How can you contact me? Kendall L. Stewart, MD, MBA, DLFAPA VPMA and Chief Medical Officer Southern Ohio Medical Center Chairman & CEO The SOMC Medical Care Foundation, Inc th Street Waller Building Suite B01 Portsmouth, Ohio

Are there other questions? 1,2  Safety  Quality  Service  Relationships  Performance  1 Learn more about Southern Ohio Medical Center.Southern Ohio Medical Center 2 Learn more about our Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine Residencies.Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine Residencies Justin Greenlee, DO Director Family Medicine Residency Thomas Carter, DO Director Emergency Medicine Residency