ANXIETY DISORDERS

Question 1

what is ANXIETY?

Answer 1

intense, excessive, persistance worry and fear about everyday situations.

can be normal in a stressful situation (public speaking, taking a test)

ANXIETY DISORDERS: when it becomes unmanagable and it impacts on a persons daily life

Question 2

what are some different anxiety disorders?

Answer 2

• generalised anxiety disorder
• panic disorder
• obsessive compulsive disorder
• phobic disorders- social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia

Question 3

what are some causes/etiology of anxiety?

Answer 3

• genetic
• environmental
• neuroanatomical
• experiential
• trauma

Question 4

what are some predisposing factors that make people at higher risk for anxiety disorders?

Answer 4

• low self esteem
• family hx
• female
• childhood trauma
• yrs of education
• family environment
• no. of traumatic experiences

Question 5

what is generalised anxiety disorder??

Answer 5

excessive anxiety, frequently, out of proportion to the event/issue, pervasive and difficult to control.

KEY SYX: restlessness/feeling uptight/on edge
fatigued, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, irritability, difficulty sleeping, distress, impairment in social, occupational/other functioning

TREATMENT: depends on severity, level of disability/ impact on social functioning, co-existing mental/physical disorders, current meds.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT)
SSRIS- citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine
TRICYCIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS-
BENZODIAZEPINES-lorazepam, diazepam

Question 6

what is a PANIC DISORDER?

Answer 6

panic disorder is characterised by recurrent panic attacks- unexpected discrete periods of intense fear or discomfort triggered by a perceived threat.

often pts may feel like they are experiencing a serious medical condition such as: palpitations, SOB, choking, chest pain, sweat, chills, shaking, nausea, dizzy, fear of dying, losing control.

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS :
calm reassurance
triggers? 
provide quiet, low stimulus environment 
breath in and out of paper bag 
coach pt- breathing techniques

Question 7

what is OCD?

Answer 7

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

• clients experience ongoing intrusive thoughts+fears which present as obsessional behaviour (obsessions)
• carrying out behaviours/rituals (compulsions)

OBSESSIONS: repetitive unwanted thoughts/ impulsions that cause anxiety, trying to stop them= more distress, hard to control
COMPULSIONS: repeated actions/ behaviours- driven to do them, some actions become rituals, can be unseen (praying silently before going outside)

TREATMENT:
CBT
exposure therapy and response
SSRI’s

Question 8

what are PHOBIC disorders?

Answer 8

type of anxiety disorder, defined by persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation.

eg: AGORAPHOBIA- fear of being in places or situations that might make you panic, feel trapped or embarrassed.

SOCIAL PHOBIA (social anxiety disorder) marked persistent and unreasonable fear of being observed/ evaluated negatively by other people in social/ performance situations.