Fast Facts: Anxiety, Panic and Phobias (Fast Facts) [Illustrated] (Paperback)

This book is part of the Fast Facts series which covers a wide variety of health topics, ranging from asthma to urinary continence. As such it is a well-structured and clearly signposted book, which represents a clear and concise descriptive overview, as one might expect. Fast Facts are labelled indispensable guides to clinical practice, yet this book would be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of anyone requiring an-up-to-date and handy guide to the area of the anxiety disorders, but for whom time is of a premium. Certainly there are some references which indicate where more in-depth material may be found, but for busy medical and non-medical practitioners, students and laypeople, the essence of these psychiatric conditions is captured. There are seven easily readable sections: definitions of anxiety, disorders; pathophysiology of anxiety; prevalence of anxiety disorders; clinical features of anxiety disorders; general management of anxiety disorders; psychological treatments; drug treatment of anxiety disorders; future trends. Each is colour coded and well-presented for ease of reference. The section entitled Definitions of anxiety disorders provides clear and concise commentary on each of the common problems, accompanied by relevant DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, thoughtfully situated on the same or opposite page. Thus the salient signs, symptoms and associated circumstances for the following are well-related: Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Agarophobia, Social phobia, Specific (simple) phobia, Obsessive-compulsive disorder and Post-traumatic stress disorder. While prevalence rates are hinted at, the details of these are to be found in a later dedicated section. Lodged on page 14, is the notable fact that many patients with an apparent anxiety disorder develop depression over time , suggesting that not only is this worthy of a more prominent mention, but that depression is another area in which this helpful book series should aim to include. The Pathophysiology of anxiety chapter concisely lays out the relevant biochemical basis and for some a diagram of relevant activity around the nerve synapse might have proved helpful in describing this admittedly complex area. There is a very brief attempt to highlight the psychological theories about anxiety, which is of limited use in setting the ground for the later section on psychological treatments. Prevalence of anxiety disorders is a welcome section, which puts these disorders into both a short and long-term context. Here is an indication that anxiety is more prevalent than depression and will affect one quarter of the population during their lifetime. However, this section relies heavily on the US National Comorbidity Survey, and for the benefit of UK readers, the inclusion of data from the Household Panel Survey of Minor Psychiatric Disorders would also have been of value. Clinical features of anxiety disorders is a particularly helpful chapter, methodically setting the relevant symptoms into context and providing information about differential diagnosis for each of the disorders. Each condition is examined in turn. The role of alcohol and drugs in the symptoms of anxiety is rightly emphasised, including caffeinism. The similarity between caffeine intoxication and panic attacks and between caffeine withdrawal and generalised anxiety can be a common cause of misdiagnosis. The authors go on to doubt the existence in clinical practice of agoraphobia without panic disorder. However, they do make up for any decrease in the section of the population who might be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, by emphasizing the presence of blushing, shyness and social inhibition in social phobia, which often develops in late childhood . Without belittling the seriousness of this condition, one might suspect whether adolescence --Stress and Health (on the first edition)

It is estimated that over 25% of the population suffer from some degree of anxiety disorder and that this figure is on the increase. Every member of the primary healthcare team will see these disorders regularly and needs to be able to make the correct diagnosis swiftly and offer the appropriate level of care and support. This new edition, fully revised and updated, offers expert guidance on the diagnosis of the most commonly presenting disorders and covers all therapeutic strategies including the latest drug treatments. .* Expert advice from two of the world's leading specialists * Covers both the psychiatric and psychopharmacological approaches to treatment * Includes all major presenting disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder Contents Definitions; Pathophysiology of anxiety; Prevalence; Clinical features; General management; Psychological treatment; Pharmacological treatment; Future trends