BB30044: GABA and Anxiety (SW)
Anxiety disorders
o Anxiety is a normal, appropriate, adaptive response to
impending danger. It is integral to an organism’s
preparations to either cope with/avoid an environmental
threat.
o Anxiety disorders are the pathological manifestation of
anxiety: inappropriate & sustained feelings of anxiety.
These are prevalent, chronic and disabling.
o Anxiety is a natural response, but when it is sustained and
out of proportion, it constitutes an anxiety disorder.
o Characteristics:
‘An unpleasant state of inner turmoil’, often
accompanied by nervous behaviour and somatic
symptoms
Anxiety is not the same as fear: fear is a response to
a real/perceived immediate threat. Anxiety is a ‘risk
assessment’ of a potential future threat.
, Feelings of anxiety are usually generalised/unfocused
– an overreaction to a situation
Often presents physical fight/flight symptoms of the
ANS: sweating, chest pain, increased muscle tension,
breathlessness, heart palpitations, increased blood
pressure. Also accompanied by restlessness, fatigue
and problems in concentration.
o Categories of anxiety disorder:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – classical
anxiety syndrome (others have distinctive features) –
5% individuals will be diagnosed with GAD in their
lifetime
Panic Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Phobia – phobias more prevalent than other
anxiety disorders (13% incidence)
Specific Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
o Treatments:
Benzodiazepines (BZs) are a first/second-line
treatment for GAD, panic disorder and social phobia.
SSRIs have superseded BZs as the first-line
treatment in some of these categories (panic and
social phobia) due to BZ risk of dependence during
long-term use and unwanted sedative effects.
o Testing anxiety in rodents:
Scientifically studying mental disorders such as anxiety
can present issues: it is difficult to objectively measure
Anxiety disorders
o Anxiety is a normal, appropriate, adaptive response to
impending danger. It is integral to an organism’s
preparations to either cope with/avoid an environmental
threat.
o Anxiety disorders are the pathological manifestation of
anxiety: inappropriate & sustained feelings of anxiety.
These are prevalent, chronic and disabling.
o Anxiety is a natural response, but when it is sustained and
out of proportion, it constitutes an anxiety disorder.
o Characteristics:
‘An unpleasant state of inner turmoil’, often
accompanied by nervous behaviour and somatic
symptoms
Anxiety is not the same as fear: fear is a response to
a real/perceived immediate threat. Anxiety is a ‘risk
assessment’ of a potential future threat.
, Feelings of anxiety are usually generalised/unfocused
– an overreaction to a situation
Often presents physical fight/flight symptoms of the
ANS: sweating, chest pain, increased muscle tension,
breathlessness, heart palpitations, increased blood
pressure. Also accompanied by restlessness, fatigue
and problems in concentration.
o Categories of anxiety disorder:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – classical
anxiety syndrome (others have distinctive features) –
5% individuals will be diagnosed with GAD in their
lifetime
Panic Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Phobia – phobias more prevalent than other
anxiety disorders (13% incidence)
Specific Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
o Treatments:
Benzodiazepines (BZs) are a first/second-line
treatment for GAD, panic disorder and social phobia.
SSRIs have superseded BZs as the first-line
treatment in some of these categories (panic and
social phobia) due to BZ risk of dependence during
long-term use and unwanted sedative effects.
o Testing anxiety in rodents:
Scientifically studying mental disorders such as anxiety
can present issues: it is difficult to objectively measure
