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CH 9 Anxiety Disorders

The document provides an overview of anxiety disorders, including definitions, types, symptoms, and treatments. It outlines six major anxiety disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Treatment options include medications and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with nursing interventions for assessment and education.

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9 views4 pages

CH 9 Anxiety Disorders

The document provides an overview of anxiety disorders, including definitions, types, symptoms, and treatments. It outlines six major anxiety disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Treatment options include medications and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with nursing interventions for assessment and education.

Uploaded by

ketsiazephir23
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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🧠 Anxiety Disorders Study Guide –

Chapter 9

🌪️ What is Anxiety?

• A vague, uneasy emotional feeling in response to a real or perceived


threat.
• May affect:
o Thoughts
o Feelings
o Behaviors
• Common automatic relief behaviors: fidgeting, jaw-clenching, finger-
tapping.

🧩 Types of Anxiety Disorders

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Chronic worry about various situations for 6+ months.


• Symptoms (need at least 3):
o Restlessness, fatigue, sleep trouble, irritability, muscle tension,
difficulty concentrating.
• May have somatic complaints: chest pain, GI upset, tremors.
• Commonly coexists with depression.
2. Panic Disorder

• Recurrent unexpected panic attacks.


• Symptoms of panic attack:
o Rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of
breath, nausea, numbness, fear of dying or losing control.
• May lead to agoraphobia: fear/avoidance of public spaces due to panic
attacks.

3. Specific Phobia

• Irrational fear of specific objects/situations (e.g., spiders, heights).


• Triggers immediate physical anxiety symptoms.

4. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)

• Extreme fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or


judgment.
• Anticipatory anxiety and physical symptoms are common.

5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Triggered by trauma (e.g., violence, disaster).


• Symptoms last >1 month:
o Re-living trauma, emotional numbness, sleep trouble, guilt,
avoidance, concentration issues, dissociation.

6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Obsessions: intrusive, unwanted thoughts/images.


• Compulsions: repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety.
• Must interfere with functioning and take ≥1 hour/day.
• Common themes: contamination, harm, symmetry.

💊 Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

🔹 Medications

• Antianxiety medications:
o Benzodiazepines (e.g., Valium, Xanax): effective but may cause
dependence.
o SSRIs (e.g., Zoloft, Prozac): preferred for long-term treatment.
• Other uses: seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal.

🔹 Psychotherapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Most effective


o Replaces negative thoughts with positive, realistic ones.

🩺 Nursing Interventions

• Assess:
o Mood, orientation, BP, and for side effects.
• Educate:
o Medication safety (e.g., avoid alcohol, rise slowly).
o Reportable symptoms.
• Promote:
o Trust, realistic goals, adaptive coping strategies.
📝 Nursing Process Highlights

• Assessment: Ask about recent events, physical symptoms, and


observe behavior.
• Intervention: Stay calm, use small goals, and model healthy behavior.
• Evaluation: Has the client learned to identify and cope with anxiety?

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