Anxiety pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vindhya BellamKonda, M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

The pathophysiology of anxiety is attributed to various theories that have been proposed which constitute: Biologic, psychoanalytic, learning, and genetic component. There is incresed sympathetic tone

Pathophysiology

Various theories have been implicated in the pathogenesis of anxiety which are as follows:

Biologic component

• There is an increased sympathetic tone
• There is a surge of catecholamines
• Decreased levels of Gamma -aminobutyric acid(GABA)
• Alterations in serotonergic and dopaminergic system
• In anxiety states like panic attacks, the locus ceruleus is hyperactive
• Hyperactivity of amygdala has been implicated in social anxiety

Psychoanalytic component

• Freud described that anxiety is developmentally related to childhood fears of disintegration that derive from the fear of actual or imagined loss of a love object or fear of bodily harm.
• He used the term "signal anxiety" to describe anxiety that triggers defense mechanisms used by the person to cope with the potential threat, but anxiety infact, is not consciously experienced.

Learning theory

• Anxiety is produced due to continued stress.
• The anxiety eventually becomes a conditioned response to stress ful situations of less severity

Genetic studies

• About 5% individuals with anxiety have polymorphic variant of the gene associated with serotonin transporter metabolism.