BIOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS: SHORT ACTING ANTI-ANXIETY BENZODIAZEPINE AGENTS / RELAXATION TECHNIQUES / EXERCISE

Question 1

BIOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS: SHORT ACTING ANTI-ANXIWETY BENZODIAZEPINE AGENTS Part 1
* Managing anxiety

Answer 1

• Medication = can relieve symptoms of anxiety
• Beta-blockers
  = Slow down the function of the human nervous system
  = Block the stimulating effects of adrenaline (e.g. increased breathing rate and funding heart)
• Benzodiazepine medications (mimics the effects of GABA)
  = Can be used in the short-term treatment
  = Enhance the GABA-induced inhibition of overexcited neurotransmitters
  = Stimulate GABA neurotransmitters
  = Acts as an agonist = stimulating activity of GABA

Question 2

BIOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS: SHORT ACTING ANTI-ANXIWETY BENZODIAZEPINE AGENTS Part 2
* Managing anxiety

Answer 2

• Enhancing the function of GABA
• Bring about a state of calm by reducing the over activity occurring in the brain
• Reduce physiological arousal
• Possible side effects: Addiction, drowsiness, impaired thinking and memory loss, and moos swings (etc.)

Question 3

BIOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS: RELAXATION TECHNIQUES - BREATHING RETRAINING

• Managing anxiety
• Physiological changes/benefits
• Psychological benefits

Answer 3

• Technique that can be learnt to reduce physiological and psychological arousal. This is associated with stress-related anxiety
• Process of identifying incorrect breathing habits and replacing them with correct ones
• Carbon dioxide assists in the regulation of the body’s reaction to anxiety and panic
• Physiological changes
  = Lowered blood pressure and heart rate
  = Reduced levels of stress hormones in the blood
  = Improved immune system functioning
  = Help individuals have more control of their anxiety
• Psychological benefits
  = Improved sleep (reduces stress)
  = Increased self-confidence
  = Increased feelings of calm

Question 4

BIOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS: RELAXATION TECHNIQUES - EXERCISE

Answer 4

• Exercise removes these natural chemicals (stress hormones) that accumulate during stress
• Exercise can reduce anxiety and promote a POSITIVE mood
• Mental health benefits
  = > in alertness and self-esteem
  = The release of endorphins
  = Improved sleep (reduces stress)
  = Increased social interaction (improve and develop more social support networks)
  = Optimistic feelings and the ability to think more RATIONALLY