Anxiety in the Medical Patient
Psychiatric Times March 01, 2007 Vol. 24 No. 3
Malcolm P. Rogers, MD and David J. Wolfe, MD, MPH
Anxiety is a ubiquitous, natural affective state that is essential for evolutionary survival. Nearly as common, however, are experiences of anxiety that exceed social, psychological, or physiological needs, leading to functional impairment. Indeed, primary anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), represent the most common category of mental illness in the United States. Secondary, or reactive, anxiety is also widespread and can arise not only from numerous medical causes but also from the psychological process of coping with illness. Consequently, it is not surprising that diagnosing and treating anxiety poses a common question for the consultation-liaison psychiatrist. In this article, we review 5 themes concerning the interaction between anxiety and medical illness, and comment on the implications for treatment.
Anxiety secondary to medical illness
Medication- or drug-induced anxiety
Anxiety as an impersonator of medical illness
Anxiety and the course of medical illness
Anxiety and vulnerability to medical illness
Read More at Psychiatric Times...
Malcolm P. Rogers, MD and David J. Wolfe, MD, MPH
Anxiety is a ubiquitous, natural affective state that is essential for evolutionary survival. Nearly as common, however, are experiences of anxiety that exceed social, psychological, or physiological needs, leading to functional impairment. Indeed, primary anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), represent the most common category of mental illness in the United States. Secondary, or reactive, anxiety is also widespread and can arise not only from numerous medical causes but also from the psychological process of coping with illness. Consequently, it is not surprising that diagnosing and treating anxiety poses a common question for the consultation-liaison psychiatrist. In this article, we review 5 themes concerning the interaction between anxiety and medical illness, and comment on the implications for treatment.
Anxiety secondary to medical illness
Medication- or drug-induced anxiety
Anxiety as an impersonator of medical illness
Anxiety and the course of medical illness
Anxiety and vulnerability to medical illness
Read More at Psychiatric Times...
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