ANXIETY DISORDERS Sharon Crews, RN “ ANXIETY IS A STATE OF APPREHENSION, TENSION, OR UNEASINESS THAT STEMS FROM THE ANTICIPATION OF DANGER, THE SOURCE OF WHICH IS LARGELY UNKNOWN OR UNRECOGNIZED  Most everyone in life will experience some a form of anxiety (Adams & Holland, 2014) ” WHAT IS AN ANXIETY DISORDER? A NATURAL RESPONSE TO A STRESSFUL SITUATION  To excessive for some people to handle  Considered a motivator for some  Some people are unable to control  May have a negative impact on daily living PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ANXIETY Stress Response Activated Release of Corticotrpinreleasing factor (CRF) Release of corticotrpoin Release of Stress Hormones from adrenal cortex Negative Feedback to the Hypothalmus Hypothalamus connects with reticular formation RISK FACTORS FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS Female Family History Family Dynamics Triggered by traumatic event Diagnosis of depression Lack of social skills or contact Chronic or serious illness Stress Substance Abuse SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY DISORDER  Last a minimum of 6 months  Constant worrying about small or large concerns  Fear or feeling nervous  Dread  Fatigue  Irritable  Muscle tension or aches  Difficulty concentrating and completing tasks  Sleep disturbances DIAGNOSIS Physician or mental health provider will ask detailed questions about symptoms Physician or mental health provider will ask detailed medical history Mental Health Professionals may utilize psychological questionnaire Physician may perform a physical examination to look for underlying medical conditions Criteria noted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders TREATMENT WITH MEDICATION Medication is not a cure Goal of medication is to keep the disorder under control  Types of Medications  Antidepressants  Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors  Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors  Anti- Anxiety Drugs such as benzodiazepines  Beta- Blockers NON PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT Live a active lifestyle Exercise daily Maintain a healthy diet Avoid alcohol consumption Utilize relaxation measures such as visualization Getting adequate sleep EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE Generalized anxiety disorder is the most common Focus may derive from a real or imagined health problem May manifest with physical symptoms Affects women twice as much as men Onset is usually from young adult to middle age (American Psychological Association (2013) YOU-TUBE VIDEO LINK DESCRIBING ANXIETY DISORDERS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaGGcm3U6QM This You Tube video appears accurate in the description of anxiety disorders. Information within the video supports research relevant to this power point presentation. RECOCOGNIZE THE SIGNS SITUATIONAL ANXIETY GENERAL ANXIETY PANIC DISORDER Recognize the signs and take an active interest in recognizing these patients. Offer emotional support and notify physician. Help remove the stigma of that person is “crazy”. REFERENCES Adams, M.P., Holland, L. N. (2014). Pharmacology for nurses: A pathophysiologic approach (4th ed.). Pearson. Lazenby, R. (2011. Handbook of pathophysiology (4th ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Shelton, (2004). Diagnosis and Management of Anxiety Disorders. E-Journal of The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 3(1), S2-S5. Retrieved from http://www.jaoa.org/content/104/3_suppl_1/S2.full Jaffe, S., & Schub, T. (2013). Generalized Anxiety Disorder. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from Cinahl Information Systmes (Glendale, California), 2013 April 26 (2p) (6ref)