Anxiety Disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

Subject: Mental Health (Theory)

Overview

Anxiety is a common phenomena that is characterized by a feeling of dread or unease brought on by a sense of impending danger. Anxiety disorders are a general term for a variety of aberrant, pathological forms of anxiety that significantly impede a person's functioning and create severe subjective discomfort. The symptoms must have been present more days than not for at least six months and cannot be related to particular organic conditions like hyperthyroidism or coffee overdose. It must significantly hinder social, occupational, or other critical areas of functioning or cause clinically substantial suffering. A thorough medical history, diagnosis of the condition, medication therapy, and psychosocial methods of treatment are all part of management and treatment.

Anxiety is a common phenomena that is characterized by a feeling of dread or unease brought on by a sense of impending danger.

Anxiety disorders are a general term for a variety of aberrant, pathological forms of anxiety that significantly impede a person's functioning and create severe subjective discomfort.

Chronic, irrational, and excessive anxiety and worry are symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. The anxiety is constant and universal; it is not specific to any one location. The symptoms must have been present more days than not for at least six months and cannot be related to particular organic conditions like hyperthyroidism or coffee overdose. It must significantly hinder social, occupational, or other critical areas of functioning or cause clinically substantial suffering.

Sign and symptoms

  • Anxiety
  • Motor tension
    • Trembling, twitching or feeling shaky
    • Muscles tension aches
    • Restlessness
    • Easy fatigability
  • Autonomic hyperactivity
    • Shortness of breathe
    • Palpitations
    • Sweating or cold clammy hands
    • Dry mouth
    • Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal distress
    • Flushed
    • Frequent urination
    • Lump in throat
    • Dizziness
  • Vigilance and scanning
    • Feeling keyed up or edge
    • Exaggerated startle response
    • Difficulty concentrating or staying asleep
    • Irritability

Diagnosis

  • Detailed history taking
  • Physical examination
  • Investigation to rule out organic causes

Management and Treatment

  • Detailed history and finding the disease
  • Drugs treatment
    • Anti-anxiety drugs like alprazilam, chlordizipoxide, clonazepam
    • Beta blockers- propanolol for reducing somatic symptoms of anxiety
  • Psychological method of treatment
    • Counseling
    • Crisis intervention
    • Relaxation exercise
    • Group therapy
    • Yoga meditation

Nursing care of patient with anxiety disorder

  • Monitor vital signs.
  • Dispense the anxiety medications as directed.
  • Observe any potential pharmacological adverse effects.
  • Warm water should be available to prevent both dehydration and becoming clammy and cold.
  • In order to prevent them as much as possible, try to identify the precipitating causes and inform the patients' and their relatives.
  • Encourage the patient to speak by being friendly to them.
  • Observe the patient.
  • Make an effort to comprehend the patient's anxieties and aid in easing them.

 
Things to remember
  • Anxiety is a normal phenomenon which is characterized by a state of apprehension or unease arising out of anticipation of danger.
  • Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal , pathological anxiety that causes significant subjective distress and impairment in the functioning of the individual.
  • The symptoms must have occurred more days than not for at least 6 months, cannot be attributed to specific organic factors , such as caffeine intoxication and hyperthyroidism.
  • It must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
  • Management and treatment includes detailed history and finding the disease,drugs treatment and psychological method of treatment.
  • Try to identify the precipitating factors and educate the patients and relatives to avoid as much as possible.
  • Have friendly attitude towards patient.
Questions and Answers

Anxiety is a normal phenomenon which is characterized by a state of apprehension or unease arising out of anticipation of danger.

Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of abnormal , pathological anxiety that causes significant subjective distress and impairment in the functioning of the individual.

Detailed history and finding the disease

Drugs treatment

  • Anti-anxiety drugs like alprazilam, chlordizipoxide, clonazepam
  • Beta blockers- propanolol for reducing somatic symptoms of anxiety

Psychological method of treatment

  • Counseling
  • Crisis intervention
  • Relaxation exercise
  • Group therapy
  • Yoga meditation

 

Anxiety

  • Motor Tension
    • Feeling unsteady, trembling, or twitching
    • Aches from tense muscles
    • Restlessness
    • Easily fatigueable
  • Autonomic Hyperactivity
    • Breathing difficulty
    • Palpitations
    • Sweaty or clammy hands that are cold
    • Mouth ache
    • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea
    • Frequent urination
    • Flushed
    • Throat lump
    • Dizziness
  • Vigilance and Scanning
    • Feeling on edge or heightened.
    • Excessive startle reaction
    • Difficulty staying asleep or paying attention.
    • Irritability.

 

 

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