Phobias + Panic (329 E3) Flashcards
specific phobias
A persistent irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a desire for avoidance of that object, activity or situation
The phobic object, activity or situation almost always provokes immediate fear or anxiety and is avoided
Individuals experience overwhelming and crippling anxiety when faced with the object or situation causing daily functioning to be compromised
The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger
treatments for specific phobias
Medications have not proven successful as a singular form of treatment
Treatment of choice is a combination of medication(s) and therapies (psychotherapy, systematic desensitization or flooding)
agoraphobia
most severe & persistent phobic disorder
intense excessive anxiety or fear about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing or where help might not be available
Feared places are avoided in an effort to control anxiety
situations commonly avoided include
being alone outside
being alone at home
traveling in a car, bus, or airplane
being on a bridge
riding in an elevator
being in a crowd
what is agoraphobia usually associated with
adverse childhood events, stressful life events, overprotective and emotional cool families, and a genetic component
treatment for agoraphobia
antidepressants (SSRI’s), benzodiazepines, systematic desensitization, flooding and CBT
social phobia
Characterized by severe anxiety or fear provoked by exposure to a social or a performance situation that could be evaluated negatively by others
they can worry for days to weeks before a dreaded situation
situations that trigger distress in social phobia
Intense fear of being criticized by others
Persistent fear of humiliation
Negative evaluation of embarrassment in social situations
Withdraw from situations or experience intense discomfort
Fear of public speaking is the most common manifestation social anxiety disorder
physical sx that occur with social phobia
blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking
risk factors for social phobia
childhood mistreatment and adverse childhood events, shyness, having parents that are shy (genetic & modeling)
people with social phobia are at risk for
major depressive disorder and substance use disorder
treatment of social phobia
SSRI’s and benzodiazepines
panic disorder
a chronic condition that has several exacerbations
characterized by panic attacks
panic attacks
the sudden onset of extreme apprehension or fear usually associated with feelings of impending doom
They occur “out of the blue” and last for a matter of minutes and then subside
the feelings of terror present during a panic attack are so severe that
normal functioning is suspended
perceptual field is severely limited
misinterpretation of reality may occur
during a panic attack, an individual may experience
chest pain or discomfort, palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking
sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
feelings of choking
nausea or abdominal distress
feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint chills or heat
sensations
paresthesia (numbness or tingling)
derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from one-self)
fear of losing control or “going crazy”
Fear of dying
what are the two important psychological symptoms associated with panic disorer
anticipatory anxiety: fearful expectation of panic anxiety onset
avoidance anxiety: personal strategies used to increase feeling of control and decrease the risk of panic anxiety
what is common among adults and adolescents with panic disorder
alcohol or substance use
what during childhood is linked with adult onset anxiety disorders
early childhood stress
panic disorder is high associated with
depression, medical conditions including hypertension, cigarette smoking, and recently associated with marijuana use
treatment of panic disorders
-CBT (first line), distraction, positive self talk, flooding, relaxation
-anti depressants: SSRI, SNRI, TCA, MAOI
-benzos (2nd line)
nursing considerations while pt is having a panic attack
Rule out life threatening illness, especially a cardiac event
Stay with the patient
Reassure him/her that you will not leave
Give clear directions
Assist patient to an environment with minimal stimulation
Walk with the patient
Administer PRN antianxiety medications
