Brain Circuits
This circuit is responsible for pathological worry.
What is the CSTC circuit?
SSRIs may initially cause this before improvement.
What is temporary worsening of anxiety?
Minimum number of symptoms required for a panic attack.
4 symptoms
Medication used for PTSD nightmares
prazosin
Pregabalin reduces anxiety by decreasing this neurotransmitter
glutamate
This brain structure is involved in fear processing.
What is the amygdala?
SSRIs typically take this long to show full benefit.
What is 4–6 weeks?
Panic attacks peak within this time frame.
minutes
Medication class to avoid in PTSD.
benzodiazepines
Best performance anxiety treatment before public speaking
propranolol
This axis mediates the stress hormone response.
What is the HPA axis?
Best response when anxiety worsens after 5 days on sertraline.
What is reassure and continue?
Chest pain alone qualifies as a panic attack
false
One FDA-approved SSRI for PTSD
sertraline
Avoid benzodiazepines in patients with this respiratory condition
COPD
This brain area is associated with norepinephrine and arousal.
What is the locus coeruleus?
First-line medication class for panic disorder
SSRI
This medication class should NOT be used alone long-term
benzodiazepines
This symptom cluster includes nightmares and flashbacks.
re-experiencing
Combining benzodiazepines and alcohol increases risk of this.
respiratory depression
CSTC stands for this four-part loop
Cortico-Striato-Thalamo-Cortical circuit?
This SNRI is also used for anxiety disorders.
venlafaxine
First-line long-term treatment for panic disorder.
SSRI
This alpha-1 blocker reduces trauma-related dreams
prazosin
OCD diagnosis requires symptoms lasting at least this long daily.
1 hour per day