Anxiety Flashcards
what is anxiety
apprehension, uneasiness, uncertainty, or dread from real or perceived threats
what is fear
reaction to specific danger
what is normal anxiety necessary for?
survival
mild anxiety
adaptive
can provide motivation
ex: studying night before for exam, waiting until the last minute to do anything)
signs/symptoms- irritability, restlessness, seeking attention, reassurance
moderate anxiety
narrowed perceptual field
doesn’t see everything around only focused on anxiety
alertness and communication are intensified, focused
everything else is blocked out except what caused anxiety
able to follow directions but so focused they may not hear you speaking to them the first time
severe anxiety
perceptual field blocked, distorted
extremely hyperactive
panic anxiety
profound fear, terror, urge to fight or flee
never leave client alone at risk for self harm
interventions for mild to moderate anxiety
reduce clients anxiety level
calm presence
recognize distress
listen
explore behaviors that alleviate anxiety
evaluate past coping skills
temporarily relieve anxiety
help client identify anxiety
anticipate anxiety provoking situations
nonverbal communication
talk about feelings/concerns
clarify what is being said
problem solving
develop alternate solutions
** interfere with moderate so avoid escalation to panic
severe to panic interventions
safety
remain with individual
calm manner, use clear, simple statements, repeat if necessary
low-pitched voice and speak slowly
quiet environment with minimal stimulation
reinforce reality
need for medication
assess for suicide risk
defenses against anxiety
coping styles
protect people from anxiety
maintain self-image by blocking feelings, conflicts, memories
can be healthy or unhealthy
types of defense mechanisms
compensation
conversion
denial
displacement
dissociation
identification
intellectualization
projection
rationalization
reaction formation
regression
repression
splitting
sublimation
suppression
undoing
adaptive responses to anxiety
problem-solving
talking
crying
sleeping
exercising
deep breathing
imagery
relaxation
maladaptive responses to anxiety
obsessive-compulsive behaviors
aggressive acting-out
withdraw
excessive eating, drinking, spending, gambling, drug use, sexual activity
blaming
negative self-talk
basic principles of anxiety disorders
strong genetic predisposition
symptoms being in childhood (6 yrs) and early adulthood
recognizes thoughts/behaviors are irrational and emotion is an over reaction
behaviors are used to reduce/ manage/ experience of overwhelming anxiety
allow continuation of behavior until other strategies are in place to manage anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
chronic condition
anxiety for more than 6 months
excessive uncontrolled unrealistic worry
muscle tension, autonomic hyperactivity, startle, difficulty concentrating
excessive worry about every day life, events, or conflict
cant relax and startle easy
clinical course of GAD
interferes with daily life and relationships
insidious onset
all ages
onset after 20 most common
mild depressive symptoms
highly somatic, muscle aches, soreness, GI complaints, exaggerated startle response
present to primary care with somatic complaints
a sense of ill-being and uneasiness and fear imminent disaster
women more affected than men
risk factors of GAD
unresolved conflicts
cognitive misinterpretations
life stressors
genetic predisposition
behavioral inhibition: shyness, fear, or becoming withdrawn in unfamiliar situations
comorbidity of GAD
MDD
social phobia
specific phobia
panic disorder
dysthymia
alcoholism
at least one additional psychiatric diagnosis
treatment of GAD
a combination of psychotherapy and medication (must have both)
CBT
antidepressants
buspirone
benzo’s
antidepressants
1st line- SSRI
SNRI
TCA
MAOI
benzos
considerations of antidepressants
safety (increased SI) with SSRI and SNRI
assess suicide risk
4-8 weeks to work
can increase dose
switch drug or class
add second drug
SSRI’s
fluoxetine
paroxetine
sertraline
citalopram
escitalopram
drugs are considered 1st choice, less severe and fewer side effects, few drug-drug/food interactions
side effects of SSRI’s
sexual dysfunction
increase in anxiety resolves in 2-4 weeks
therapeutic benefit reached in 3-4 weeks
avoid MAOI
smoking decreases effects
SNRI’s
blocks activity of serotonin and norepinephrine
duloxetine
venlafaxine
desvenlafaxine
adverse effects of SNRI’s
nausea, headache, anorexia, insomnia, somnolence, sexual dysfunction, withdraw syndrome, sweating, blurred vision, increased LFT’s (duloxetine)
contraindicated with MAOI
TCA’s
amitriptyline
imipramine
2-6 weeks for therapeutic effects
inexpensive
adverse effects of TCA’s
sedation
orthostatic hypotension
anticholinergic effects
sexual dysfunction
cardiac toxicity
abrupt withdraw may cause nausea, headache, vertigo
significant drug-drug interaction with MAOI- causes HTN crisis
Fatal overdose
MAOI
phenelzine
tranylcypromine
isocarboxazid
used less often
treats refractory depression but works better for atypical depression
most serious side effect HTN crisis when taken with tyramine
adverse effects of MAOI
food/drug interactions- avoid tyramine foods (aged cheese, smoked meats, yeast, red wine)
CNS stimulation
orthostatic hypotension
can lead to rapid increases in BP, stroke, coma
significant drug/drug interactions with antihypertensive, SSRI, indirect-acting sympathomimetics (ephedrine), TCA, meperidine
bupropion
atypical antidepressant
stimulant effect, decreased appetite
1-3 weeks for effect
doesn’t tend to affect libido or sexual function
buspar
anti-anxiety medication
used in patients sensitive to SSRI tx
relieves anxiety with less drowsiness and abuse potential
non habit forming and low toxicity
beta blockers
propranolol, atenolol
help manage short-term physical symptoms of anxiety by lowering BP and HR
benzo’s
clonazepam
alprazolam
lorazepam
diazepam
may be used in initial stage of treatment
rapid onset (hours) high tolerability
abrupt discontinuation can trigger severe withdraw and intense rebound anxiety
side effects of benzo’s
sedation
ataxia
impaired coordination
slurred speech
memory impairment and dizziness
high risk for falls
alcohol can potentiate effects
guidelines for benzo’s
lowest dose necessary
monitor for sedation and risk of falls
restrict caffeine use
avoid alcohol and other sedatives, alcohol can be fatal
don’t discontinue abruptly
enhances action of GABA
promotes sleep
promotes amnesia (flunitrazepam- date rape drug)
teratogenic