Panic Disorder Flashcards
Panic Disorder
· Recurrent episodes of panic attacks
· Persistent concern of having additional attacks
· Worry about consequences, e.g. “going crazy, having a heart attack, losing control
Significant change in behavior
· Isolated incident doesn’t mean panic disorder
· Unpredictable panic attacks occurring at any time, even during sleep, confirm the disorder.
· ** Frequency**: Several months apart to several times/day
Nursing Interventions for Hypervenitilation
- Provide safe environment and ensure ct privacy during attack
- Stay with client, keep instruction simple
- Speak to ct in calm and reassuring voice: keep instructions simple
- Instruct ct to focus on deep breathing, breather with client
Once pt’s anxiety decreases..
- Help ct connect with feelings before attack Eg. “It appears your anxiety is subsiding. Can you share with me what it was like a few min ago?”
- Assess for triggers, anxiety provoking situations
- Exploring or having ct discuss emotional and physiological responses -> allow ct’s to try and regain sense of control
- Help ct recognize symptoms as resulting from anxiety not physical problem i.e. heart attack, explain symptoms are similar
Health Teaching
- Teach abdominal breathing: Breaks cycle of escalating symptoms
- Discuss positive coping strategies: Identify/explore ways to deal with stress provoking situations
- Encourage regular exercise
- Helps metabolize adrenaline, reducing panic reaction
- Increases endorphins which increase feelings of well being
4. Identify effective therapies
- Cognitive-behavioral treatment meds
- Teach ct and family about importance of maintaining prescribed medication and regime and regular follow up
- Encourage participation in support groups/organizations
Effective Therapies
· Cognitive-behavioral treatment, meds
· Teach abdominal breathing
· Breaks cycle of escalating symptoms
· Teach positive self-talk
· Teach ct and family about medication
