Anxiety

Symptoms

• Feeling on edge, restless or agitated
• Inability to concentrate
• Sweating or a racing heart
• Poor sleep

Risk factors

• Previous history of anxiety
• Uncertainty about diagnosis/prognosis
• Change in environment
• Poor symptom control
• Specific symptoms such as breathlessness or a fear that certain symptoms indicate imminent end of life
• Pre-existing dementia
• Drugs such as steroids, caffeine, salbutamol
• Withdrawal of drugs, especially SSRIs

Non-drug treatment

• Given appropriate and accurate information
• Mindfulness
• Relaxation techniques
• Complementary therapies
• Psychological support
• Withdrawal or reinstatement of causative medications id possible

Drug treatment

• Anxiolytic antidepressants e.g. citalopram
• Benzodiazepines - should aim for short term use but also accessible for immediate relief of acute attacks
• Antipsychotic medications at low doses may be beneficial
• Haloperidol 0.5 mg at night
• Olanzapine 2.5 mg at night