Taking care of an elderly parent is a stressful task. Most of the time, caregivers fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress until it greatly affects their health. Several contributing factors can cause caregiver stress. As the primary caregiver of your elderly parent, you must recognize these warning signs and address them quickly […]
How long does propranolol last for performance anxiety?
Answer: After a single dose of propranolol, it can last for several hours when used for performance anxiety. The recommended dose is 20mg to 40mg taken one hour before your performance. Larger doses tend to last longer. Given its half-life ranges from only 1.5 to 3 hours, the effects of propranolol dissipate fully by 24 […]
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The Fight or Flight Response is Controlled by What Part of the Brain?
The fight or flight response is controlled by the amygdala, which is located in both hemispheres of the brain, within the temporal lobes. When you sense a threat or are fearful, this sets off the amygdala, which then sets off the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). The following diagram illustrates how the amygdala […]
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5-HTP for Depression
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) has studies showing its effectiveness and safety for depression. 5-HTP is the precursor of serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter in the brain that are hypothesized to be deficient in depression. Tryptophan ➨ 5-HTP ➨ Serotonin The serotonin hypothesis of depression states that depression is caused by a deficiency of serotonin in the synapses […]
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I have a fear of heights and driving over bridges- help!
Question Details: I’ve always been afraid of heights, and have always been afraid of crossing bridges. I didn’t have to worry about bridges growing up, as I lived in a town that did not have large bridges, and I could avoid the few that were in my town. However, I graduated from college and landed […]
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What is an essential element of the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
An essential element in the diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is the presence of unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) which induce significant anxiety symptoms. The anxiety then prompts you to engage in repetitive, ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) which serve to reduce your anxiety over the short term. So the diagnosis of OCD requires the presence of both […]
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What is the best benzodiazepine for performance anxiety?
I have anxiety giving presentations to an audience. What is the best benzodiazepine for this? Answer: Benzodiazepines are not actually a preferred medication for performance anxiety, or stage fright. The preferred medication for performance anxiety are beta blockers, like propranolol. The main reasons why beta blockers are preferred over benzodiazepines are that propranolol is effective at […]
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What is the difference between agoraphobia and claustrophobia?
This is a frequently-asked question, the difference between agoraphobia and claustrophobia. Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where you might have a panic attack or escape might be difficult. Some people with panic disorder go on to also develop agoraphobia. As agoraphobia progresses, you increasingly become home-bound, as you are fearful of places […]
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Blood flow changes during the fight-or-flight response
During the fight or flight response, blood is diverted to the skeletal muscles from other systems to prepare the body to either fight or run from the danger or threat. So when a threat is sensed, the amygdala is triggered and sets off the locus coeruleus, which then sets off the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic […]
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Can barometric pressure cause anxiety?
Question from Viewer: Hello, I have been suffering from chronic GAD, panic attacks and crippling depression for nearly 5 years. It’s been so bad that it led me to severe alcohol abuse for 4 years. I am now sober. I know some past traumatic events may have contributed to my condition however, I have noticed […]
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