1. Home
  2. anxiety

anxiety

Treatment of Anxiety for Adults in Primary Care Settings: A Review

Author/s: 
Robyn L. Shepardson, Jeffrey S. Khan, Katherine A. Buckheit

Importance Anxiety disorders and symptoms are prevalent and burdensome, and patients are most likely to seek treatment in primary care settings. However, anxiety is underdetected and undertreated. This narrative review details behavioral and pharmacological treatment options that are feasible and effective in primary care.

Observations Screening for anxiety is recommended for primary care patients younger than 65 years. Given that anxiety often involves somatic symptoms, assessment should include patient-reported symptom measures, clinical interview, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory tests. For subthreshold symptoms (those that do not meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders) and adjustment-related anxiety, starting with self-help and behavioral treatment is recommended. When deciding between behavioral, pharmacological, or combined treatment for anxiety disorders, consider the presentation, patient preferences, potential adverse effects, and treatment history, and engage in shared decision-making. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the first-line behavioral treatment for anxiety. Brief CBT in primary care delivered by embedded behavioral health clinicians is effective. First-line pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders includes several selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, which tend to be well tolerated without considerable long-term adverse effects. The main decision for pharmacological treatment is between a daily medication and a short-acting medication taken as needed for intermittent symptoms or while awaiting the effect of a daily medication. Benzodiazepines are not recommended due to risk of adverse effects, especially with long-term use. The Collaborative Care Management model, which involves collaboration between primary care clinicians, consulting psychiatrists, and care managers who monitor patient progress and provide behavioral treatment, improves anxiety outcomes compared to usual primary care.

Conclusions and Relevance Clinicians should recognize common anxiety presentations and understand how to differentiate between anxiety and other psychiatric or medical conditions. Referring patients to behavioral health specialists for CBT and/or prescribing recommended pharmacotherapy with Collaborative Care Management can help to reduce patient morbidity and improve functioning.

Keywords 
anxiety Anxiety disorders anxiety disorder

I’m Concerned About Anxiety—What Do I Need to Know?

Author/s: 
Robyn L. Shepardson, Jeffrey S. Khan, Jennifer S. Funderburk

What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal experience of worry or fear about something the body or mind interprets as threatening. Anxiety may show up in your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or behaviors (like worrying, feeling nervous, sweaty palms, and avoiding certain situations).

Keywords 
anxiety anti-anxiety anxiety disorder panic disorder

I’m Concerned About Anxiety—What Do I Need to Know?

Author/s: 
Robyn L. Shepardson, Jeffrey S. Khan, Jennifer S. Funderburk

What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal experience of worry or fear about something the body or mind interprets as threatening. Anxiety may show up in your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or behaviors (like worrying, feeling nervous, sweaty palms, and avoiding certain situations).

Keywords 
anxiety anti-anxiety anxiety disorder panic disorder

Practical Recommendations for Minimizing Pain and Anxiety with IUD Insertion

Author/s: 
Viktoriya Ovsepyan, Petra Kelsey, Ann E Evensen

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are one of the most effective, long-lasting, and convenient contraceptive methods available in the United States. Unfortunately, the anticipated pain and anxiety associated with an IUD insertion procedure deter many people from using this contraceptive method.

Methods: A literature review was conducted on PubMed by searching the terms “IUD insertion”, “pain management”, “anxiety”, “gynecologic procedures”. The Cochrane database was also searched for reviews about pain management methods during IUD insertions. Findings were summarized using the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) scale.

Results: Pharmacologic methods that can be used to reduce pain with IUD insertion include naproxen, tramadol, lidocaine paracervical blocks, 10% lidocaine spray, lidocaine-prilocaine cream, and EMLA cream. Non-pharmacologic methods for reducing pain or anxiety during gynecologic procedures include pre-insertion counseling, “verbal analgesia”, lavender aromatherapy, distraction with music or television, using Valsalva maneuver instead of tenaculum during IUD insertion, and use of heating pad during procedure.

Conclusion: Moderately effective pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods exist for reducing pain and anxiety with IUD insertion. These treatment methods should be offered to create a more comfortable experience for patients. Additional research is needed to determine the comparative efficacy of these methods.

Keywords 
IUD Intrauterine Devices managing pain contraception anxiety

Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Maternal Mental Health Conditions

Objectives. This systematic review evaluates nonpharmacologic treatments for mental health conditions during the perinatal period (pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum). We evaluated nonpharmacologic treatments for perinatal individuals with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Data sources and review methods. We searched MEDLINE®, PsycINFO®, Embase®, CINAHL®, the Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1, 2000, to January 17, 2024, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Nonpharmacologic interventions of interest included, among others, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), exercise, non-directive counseling, behavioral activation, bright light therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and acupuncture. Outcomes of interest were improvement in scores on psychological assessment tools, cure or resolution of symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and adherence to treatment. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023440650.

Results. We identified 103 RCTs. Nonpharmacologic treatments were compared to control or each other in 101 RCTs and to pharmacologic treatments in 2 RCTs. The risk of bias was moderate for the majority of included studies, mostly related to lack of blinding. For perinatal individuals with depressive disorders, CBT was more effective than treatment as usual (TAU) to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms (both moderate strength of evidence [SoE]); IPT was more effective than TAU to treat depressive symptoms (moderate SoE) and anxiety symptoms (low SoE); and both behavioral activation (a CBT technique, with low SoE) and exercise interventions (moderate SoE) were more effective than TAU to reduce depressive symptoms. Remission rates for depressive symptoms were higher with CBT and IPT compared to TAU (both low SoE) and higher with specific acupuncture than nonspecific or sham acupuncture (low SoE). There were no differences between CBT and non-directive counseling (an active patient-led intervention), between counseling and TAU, and between bright light and placebo light therapy (all low SoE). CBT was more effective than TAU to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms for individuals with combined depressive and anxiety disorders (low SoE). Few (or no) eligible studies evaluated individuals with anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, or bipolar disorders, precluding conclusions for these conditions. There was also insufficient evidence for suicide-related outcomes, potential harms of treatment, and adherence to treatment, and for comparisons of nonpharmacologic with pharmacologic treatments.

Conclusion. Several nonpharmacologic treatments are more effective than TAU for perinatal mental health conditions, with the strongest evidence for CBT and IPT to reduce depressive symptoms among perinatal individuals with depressive disorders or combined depressive and anxiety disorders. Future research is needed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of lesser studied nonpharmacologic interventions and lesser studied perinatal mental health conditions.

Keywords 
mental health maternal maternity depression anxiety counseling Postpartum Period

A GUIDE to help patients and families better understand serious illnesses: Mnemonic device provides way to teach learners about advance care planning

Author/s: 
Helen James, Warren Harris Lewin

Advance care planning (ACP) was identified as a priority in the 2006 final report of the Public Information and Awareness Working Group of the Canadian Strategy on Palliative and End-of-Life Care.1 An important component of ACP is patients’ understanding of their prognoses, which might include expectations related to future function, symptoms, and life expectancy.2-4 Without realistic prognostic information, patients are at risk of not engaging in ACP that would otherwise help them gain control over their illnesses, reduce anxiety, and avoid unwanted treatments.2,3,5 Moreover, lack of that information might lead to challenging downstream goals-of-care conversations. In guidance published in 2023 regarding a physician’s duty to discuss a patient’s medical condition and prognosis during a goals-of-care discussion when the physician deems cardiopulmonary resuscitation not to be indicated, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario highlighted the importance of physicians being able to communicate prognoses skillfully.6

Keywords 
advance care planning terminal care end of life care Life expectancy anxiety

Screening for Anxiety Disorders in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Author/s: 
US Preventive Services Task Force, Barry, M. J., Nicholson, W. K., Silverstein, M., Coker, T. R., Davidson, K. W., Davis, E. M., Donahue, K. E., Jaén, C. R., Li, L., Ogedegbe, G., Pbert, L., Roa, G., Ruiz, J. M., Stevermer, J., Tsevat, J., Underwood, S. M., Wong, J. B.

Importance: Anxiety disorders are commonly occurring mental health conditions. They are often unrecognized in primary care settings and substantial delays in treatment initiation occur.

Objective: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in asymptomatic adults.

Population: Asymptomatic adults 19 years or older, including pregnant and postpartum persons. Older adults are defined as those 65 years or older.

Evidence assessment: The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that screening for anxiety disorders in adults, including pregnant and postpartum persons, has a moderate net benefit. The USPSTF concludes that the evidence is insufficient on screening for anxiety disorders in older adults.

Recommendation: The USPSTF recommends screening for anxiety disorders in adults, including pregnant and postpartum persons. (B recommendation) The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in older adults. (I statement).

Keywords 
anxiety PPA preventive health screening Pregnancy

Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Screening

Author/s: 
Carol M. Mangione, MD, MSPH

Anxiety disorder, a common mental health condition in the US, comprises a group of related conditions characterized by excessive fear or worry that present as emotional and physical symptoms. The 2018-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) found that 7.8% of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years had a current anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence are associated with an increased likelihood of a future anxiety disorder or depression.

Keywords 
anxiety Anxiety disorders adolescent adolescent psychiatry preventative care USPSTF

Post COVID-19 Syndrome (Long Haul Syndrome): Description of a Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Mayo Clinic and Characteristics of the Initial Patient Cohort

Author/s: 
Vanichkachorn, G., Newcomb, R., Cowl, C. T., Trenary, M., Higgins, S., Neveau, D., Murad, M. H., Breeher, L., Miller, S.

Objective

To describe characteristics of a series of patients reporting prolonged symptoms after an infection with COVID-19.

Methods

This study describes the multidisciplinary COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program (CARP), established at Mayo Clinic to evaluate and treat post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) patients, and reports the clinical characteristics of the first 100 patients receiving evaluation and management during the timeframe of June 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Results

The cohort consisted of 100 patients (mean age 45 years, 68% women, BMI 30.2, presenting a mean of 93 days after infection). Common pre-existing conditions were respiratory (23%) and mental health, including depression and/or anxiety (34%.) The majority (75%) had not been hospitalized for COVID-19. Common presenting symptoms ware fatigue (80%), respiratory complaints (59%), and neurologic complaints (59%) followed by subjective cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and mental health symptoms. More than one-third of the patients (34%) reported difficulties with performing basic activities of daily living. Only 1 in 3 patients had returned to unrestricted work duty at the time of the analysis. For most patients, laboratory and imaging studies were normal or non-diagnostic despite debilitating symptoms. Most patients required physical therapy, occupational therapy, or brain rehabilitation. Face-to-face and virtual care delivery modalities were feasible.

Conclusion

Many of the patients did not experience COVID-19-related symptoms that were severe enough to require hospitalization, were younger than 65 years of age, more likely to be female, and most had no pre-existing comorbidities prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms including mood disorders, fatigue, and perceived cognitive impairment resulted in severe negative impacts on resumption of functional and occupational activities in patients experiencing prolonged effects.

Keywords 
COVID-19 depression anxiety fatigue,
Subscribe to anxiety