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)