1. Anxiety and Stress Flashcards
a vague feeling of dread or apprehension; it is a response to external or internal stimuli
Anxiety
A response to external or internal stimuli that can have behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms
Anxiety
Feeling afraid or threatened by a clearly identifiable external stimulus that represents danger to the person
Fear
It is an unavoidable thing in life and can serve many positive functions such as motivating the person to take action to solve a problem or to resolve a crisis
Anxiety
Comprises of a group of conditions that share a key feature of excessive anxiety with ensuing behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and psychological responses
Anxiety disorders
Are diagnosed when anxiety no longer functions as a signal of danger or a motivation for needed change but becomes chronic and permeates major portions of the person’s life, resulting in maladaptive behaviors and emotional disability
Anxiety Disorders
The wear and tear that life causes on the body
(Selye, 1956).
Stress
It occurs when a person has difficulty dealing with life situations, problems, and goals
Stress
3 Stages of Reaction to Stress
Alarm Reaction Stage
Resistance Stage
Exhaustion Stage
3 Stages of Reaction to Stress
Stress stimulates the body to send messages from the hypothalamus to the glands to prepare for potential defense needs
Alarm Reaction Stage
3 Stages of Reaction to Stress
The digestive system reduces function to shunt blood to areas needed for defense. The lungs take in more air, heart beats faster and harder to circulate oxygen and to be used by the body by fight, flight, or freeze behaviors
Resistance Stage
3 Stages of Reaction to Stress
If the person adapts to the stress, the body responses relax, and the gland, organ, and systemic responses abate
Resistance Stage
3 Stages of Reaction to Stress
Occurs when the person has responded negatively to
anxiety and stress
Exhaustion Stage
3 Stages of Reaction to Stress
Body stores are depleted or the emotional components are not resolved, resulting in continual arousal of the physiological responses and little reserve capacity
Exhaustion Stage
Levels of Anxiety
Mild Anxiety
Moderate Anxiety
Severe Anxiety
Panic Anxiety
A sensation that something is different and warrants special attention
Mild Anxiety
Sensory stimulation increases and helps the person focus attention to learn, solve problems, think, act, feel, and protect themself
Mild Anxiety
Often motivates people to make changes or engage in goal-directed activity
Example: it helps students focus on studying for an examination
Mild Anxiety
Disturbing feeling that something is definitely wrong
Moderate Anxiety
The person becomes nervous or agitated
The person can still process information, solve problems, and learn new things with assistance from others
Moderate Anxiety
They have difficulty concentrating independently but can be redirected to the topic
Moderate Anxiety
Has trouble thinking and reasoning
Severe Anxiety
Muscles tighten and vital signs are increased
The person paces, is restless, irritable, and angry or uses other similar emotional-psychomotor means to release tension
Severe Anxiety
The emotional-psychomotor realm predominates with accompanying fight, flight, or freeze responses
Severe Anxiety
Adrenaline surge greatly increases vital signs; pupils enlarge to let in more light, and the only cognitive process focuses on the person’s defense
Severe Anxiety
The person’s safety is the primary concern
Panic Anxiety
They cannot perceive potential harm and may have no capacity for rational thought
The nurse must keep talking to the person in a comforting manner, even though the client cannot process what the nurse is saying
Panic Anxiety
Going to a small, quiet, and non-stimulating environment may help reduce anxiety
The nurse can reassure the person that this is anxiety
Panic Anxiety
The nurse should remain with the client until the panic recedes
Panic Anxiety
Panic-level anxiety is not indefinite but it can last for how many minutes?
5-30 minutes
Diagnosed in children when they fail to speak in social situations even though they are able to speak
Selective Mutism
They may speak freely at home with parents but fail to interact at school or with extended family
Selective Mutism
Anxiety related Disorders
Anxiety disorder due to another medical condition
Substance/medication - induced anxiety disorder
Separation anxiety disorder
Etiology of Anxiety
Biologic Theories
Psychodynamic Theories
Examples of Biologic Theories
Genetic Theory
Neurochemical Theory
Examples of Psychodynamic Theories
- Intrapsychic/Psychoanalytic Theory
- Interpersonal Theory
- Behavioral Theory
Treatments
Cognitive-Behavioral Theory
- Positive Reframing
- Decatastrophizing
- Assertiveness Training
Treatments
Turning negative messages into positive ones
Positive Reframing
Treatments
Making a more realistic appraisal of the situation
Decatastrophizing
Treatments
Learn to negotiate interpersonal situation and foster self-assurance
Assertiveness Training
