CRACKCast E112 – Anxiety Disorders

This episode covers Chapter 102 of Rosen's Emergency Medicine (9th Ed.), Anxiety Disorders.  Episode Overview Patients who present with predominant symptoms of anxiety may be suffering from medical disorders (think cardiac, resp, endocrine, neurologic), medication effects, or substance abuse or withdrawal. Anxiety may accompany the onset of serious medical disease, cause significant metabolic demands, and stress a marginally compensated organ system. Anxiety caused by physical illness is usually suggested by the patient's physical findings but may require testing to further delineate the cause. Oral, intravenous, or intramuscular medication may be necessary for patients who are a significant threat to themselves or others and for anxious patients with significant medical illness. Limited benzodiazepine therapy may be helpful for select patients. SSRI's are the go-to long term therapy. Core questions:   List 5 predictors of anxiety caused by an underlying medical issue (box) List 10 organic diseases that may present with anxiety Name 10 characteristics of a panic attack (box) List characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (box) Define the following:  Panic attack OCD GAD List ED management goals for patients with anxiety List 6 non-pharmacologic therapies for anxiety