levels of anxiety (329 E3) Flashcards
concept: anxiety
-universal human experience; most basic of emotions
-feelings of apprehension, uneasiness, uncertainty or dread resulting from a real or perceived threat
-response to internal or external stimuli
-varies from basic evolutionary response to impending doom
how does anxiety relate to stress
stress/stressor is an external pressure and anxiety is the subject of emotional response to that stressor
pathological anxiety is suspected when
someone is anxious despite no real threat, when a treat has passed long ago but continues to impair functioning or when people substitute adaptive coping mechanisms with maladaptive ones
or when anxiety is of greater than expected intensity based on the context of the situation
example of general anxiety and anxiety disorder
GA: “i was anxious about finding a parking spot before my final”
AD: “I was so nervous about finding a parking spot before my final, I decided to stay home”
fear
reaction to specific danger
the amygdala
alerts the brain to the presence of danger and brings about fear or anxiety to preserve the system
neurochemicals that regulate anxiety include
epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and GABA
behavioral theories suggest
anxiety is a learned behavior
ex: if boy is anxious around abusive mother, he might be anxious around all women
cognitive theorist believe
anxiety disorders are caused by distortions in an individuals thoughts and perceptions
cultural considerations for anxiety disorders
Panic attacks in Latin Americans and northern Europeans often involve sensations of choking, smothering, numbness, or tingling as well as fear of dying
In other cultural groups, panic attacks involve fear of magic or witchcraft
Social anxiety in Japanese and Korean cultures may relate to beliefs that the individual’s blushing, eye contact, or body odor is offensive to others
mild anxiety
occurs in the normal experience of everyday living
adaptive and can provide motivation for survival
mild anxiety: perceptual field
Heightened perceptual field
The person, sees hears and grasps more information
Observations are sharper
Focus is flexible and is aware of the anxiety
mild anxiety: ability to problem solve
Able to work effectively toward a goal and examine alternatives
mild anxiety: physical or other characteristics
Slight discomfort
Attention-seeking behaviors
Restlessness
Easily startled
Irritability or impatience
Mild tension-relieving behavior (foot or finger tapping, lip chewing, fidgeting)
moderate anxiety: perceptual field
Narrowed perceptual field; some details are excluded from observation
Sees hear and grasps less of what is going on or information
Focuses on the source of the anxiety
Less able to pay attention
moderate anxiety: ability to problem solve
Able to solve problems but not at optimal level
Still able to follow directions
moderate anxiety: physical or other characteristics
Sympathetic nervous system symptoms begin
May experience tension, a pounding heart, increased pulse and respiratory rates, perspiration, and mild somatic symptoms (e.g., headache, urinary frequency, backache, insomnia)
Voice tremors, poor concentration and shaking may be noticed
severe anxiety: perceptual field
Greatly reduced and distorted perceptual field
Focuses on details or one specific detail
Attention is scattered
severe anxiety: ability to problem solve
Problem solving feels impossible
Unable to see connections between events or details
The person may be dazed and confused
severe anxiety: physical or other characteristics
Behavior is automatic and aimed at reducing or relieving anxiety
Feelings of dread
Confusion
Purposeless activity
Sense of impending doom
More intense somatic complaints (chest discomfort, dizziness, nausea, sleeplessness)
Diaphoresis (sweating)
Withdrawal
Loud and rapid speech
Threats and demand
what is the most extreme level of anxiety
panic
panic: perceptual field
Unable to process what is going on in the environment
Focus is lost; may feel unreal (depersonalization) or that the world is unreal (derealization)
panic: ability to problem solve
Completely unable to process what is happening
Disorganized or irrational reasoning
panic: physical or other characteristics
Experience of terror
Immobility, severe hyperactivity, or flight
Unintelligible communication or inability to speak
Amplified or muffled sounds
Somatic complaints increase (numbness or tingling, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, nausea, trembling, chills, overheating, palpitations)
Severe withdrawal
Hallucinations and/or delusions
Likely out of touch with reality
take action: mild to moderate
-Help the individual identify anxiety
-Anticipate anxiety provoking situations
-Use nonverbal communication to demonstrate interest
-Encourage the individual to talk about feelings/concerns
-Focus on the individual’s feelings/concerns
-Clarify what is being said
-Help the individual identify thoughts/feelings prior to onset of anxiety
-Encourage problem solving
-Assist in developing alternative solutions
-Provide outlets for working off excess energy
in mild to mod, what are ways to reduce anxiety levels and prevent escalating
-Providing a calm presence
-Recognizing the individual’s distress
-Being willing to listen
-Explore behaviors that have alleviated anxiety in the past; evaluating past coping techniques
-Providing alternative coping strategies that may help temporarily relieve anxiety
take action: severe to panic
Provide safety in all areas ( need for warmth, fluids, elimination, pain relief, family…)
Always remain with the individual experiencing severe or panic anxiety
Maintain a calm manner, use clear, simple statements and repeat if necessary; use a low-pitched voice and speak slowly
Remove individual to a quiet environment with minimal stimulation
Reinforce reality if distortions are present
Assess the need for medication
Assess risk for suicide
