GAD/SAD
True/False: These are characteristics of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): excessive/uncontrollable worrying, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, insomnia.
True
Medications are the first choice option in treating PTSD.
False. Trauma-focused psychotherapy is recommended first. Then SSRI's and SNRI's can be suggested if psychotherapy is not enough.
What are the two components of OCD/What does obsession and compulsion mean?
Obsession: Persistent, reoccurring thoughts or urges
Compulsion: Repetitive behavior or mental act person feels driven to perform to relieve obsession and distress caused by obsession.
What is one way to manage weight fluctuations because of anxiety medications?
Maintain a balanced diet
Humans have fingerprints, what do dogs have?
Nose Prints! No dog has the same nose print.
Significant anxiety about or avoiding a social situation when there is no actual threat is a characteristic of what anxiety disorder?
Social Anxiety disorder.
What is another characteristic of PTSD:
Recurrent, intrusive, distressing memories.
Avoidance of thoughts, reminders, feelings.
Dissociation.
Memory loss.
Easily startled.
AND __________
Dreams about traumatic event.
How long do antidepressants take to work in panic disorder?
It takes ~3-4 weeks for antidepressants to start working in panic disorder.
How can you manage the risk of dependence/abuse of benzodiazepines?
Take medication as prescribed and talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have.
What state is the only state that has a one-syllable name.
Maine.
How long can you expect to be on a medication for GAD or SAD?
At least 1 year after symptoms resolve
How long do antidepressants take to work in patients with PTSD?
Antidepressants may take 4-12 weeks to start working.
How long do antidepressants take to work for OCD?
8-12 weeks (longest compared to other anxiety disorders).
What is one side effect all anxiety medications have the potential to cause?
Withdrawal; do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first.
Worsen anxiety/change in mood; talk to your doctor ASAP.
Nausea; take medication with food, nausea may go away as your body gets used to new medication.
This animal has fingerprints that are nearly identical to human fingerprint patterns.
The fingerprints are so similar that they have been taken as evidence in crime scenes, only later was it discovered to be from a koala.
When do antidepressants start working for GAD?
4-8 weeks
What medications can be used for nightmares caused by PTSD?
Prazosin or Clonidine
How long does it take for benzodiazepines to start working?
30-60 minutes.
*Remember benzodiazepines should only be used short-term 2-3 weeks*
What can you do to manage dizziness side effects of medications?
Stay hydrate, helps keep your blood pressure from going to low, which may be the cause of dizziness
Take at night when you're laying down
Tell your doctor, they may lower the dose of the medication
Snakes can predict what natural disaster?
Earthquake.
When do antidepressants start working for SAD?
6-8 weeks (longer than GAD).
Which medication is not useful in PTSD? (Think about what medications are not listed as a treatment option.)
Benzodiazepines, they have not shown to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms.
How is panic attack and panic disorder different?
A panic attack is a single event/physiologic response to intense fear. Panic disorder is the overarching classification of multiple panic attacks or fear of multiple panic attacks.
Which anxiety medication is generally least likely to cause side effects?
Buspar. Buspar has a very low rate of side effects.
What office supply (staples, paper clips, rubber band, paper, scissors, pen, pencil, etc.) lasts longer in the refrigerator?
Rubber Band. The cooler temperature relaxes the polymers that make up the rubber band and makes them last longer.