Anxiety and OCD

Question 1

Compare and contrast the four levels of anxiety

Answer 1

Mild Anxiety - Everyday problem solving leverage, grasps information effectively
Moderate Anxiety- selective inattention, clear thinking hampered, problem solving not, sympathetic nervous system symptoms begin
Severe anxiety- Perceptual field greatly reduced, difficulty concentrating on environment
Panic- Marked by disturbed behavior- running, shouting, screaming, pacing, unable to process reality

Question 2

Define:
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobias
Social anxiety

Answer 2

Separation Anxiety Disorder- Developmentally inappropriate levels of concern over being away from a significant other
Specific Phobias -persistent irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation that leads to a desire for avoidance
Social Anxiety Disorder- Severe anxiety or fear provoked by exposure to a social performance situation that will be evaluated negatively by others

Question 3

Pharmacological treatments for anxiety disorder

Answer 3

Antidepressants
SSRI’s: Paroxetine, fluoxetine, escitalopram, sertraline
SNRIS: Venlafaxine, Duloxetine (approved for children 7-17)
Anti anxiety
Benzodiazepines- Alprazolam, Chlordiazepoxide, Clorazepate, diazepam, Lorazepam, Oxazepam -quick onset
Buspirone

Question 4

What are nursing interventions for Benzodiazepines

Answer 4

Monitor for side effects of sedation, ataxia and decreased cognitive functioning
Contraindicated- in patients with substance abuse disorder, delirium, risk for falls/fractures.

Question 5

What are the clinical manifestations of OCD, Body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania and excoriation disorder

Answer 5

OCD
Ritualistic behaviors performed to reduce anxiety, reoccurring thought or impulses
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
False assumption about appearance, perfectionism, fear of rejection
Hoarding Disorder
Obsessive accumulation of objects
Trichotillomania and Excoriation disorder
Body focused repetitive behaviors
Hair pulling and skin picking

Question 6

What are risk factors that contribute to OCD?

Answer 6

Child abuse and trauma, Genetics, post-infectious autoimmune syndrome, comorbidity with anxiety disorders