Mental Health Nursing-NUR 413 Lecture 8 July 2007 Mental Health Nursing-NUR 413 Lecture 8 Anxiety Disorders Dr. Basil Amarneh

Outline What is Anxiety? What are the different types of anxiety disorders? What are the causes? What are the treatments?

Anxiety Disorders Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized. Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. Anxiety may be differentiated from fear in that the former is an emotional process, whereas fear is cognitive. More common in women than men Also occurs in children

Anxiety Disorders (cont.) Anxiety disorders most common type of all psychiatric illnesses Anxiety provides the motivation for achievement, a necessary force for survival. May be considered abnormal if Anxiety is out of proportion to the situation that is creating it Anxiety interferes with social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

Types of Anxiety Disorders Generalized anxiety disorder Panic Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Social Phobias Specific Phobias

Generalized anxiety disorder Feelings of constant apprehension and a general tendency to be worried about any areas of life (for example, health, work, and finances). This constant worry affects daily functioning and can cause physical symptoms.

Panic disorder Characterized by recurrent panic attacks, onset of which are unpredictable, Symptoms: sweating, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, feeling light-headed, abdominal pains and a fear of losing control or dying.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Recurrent obsessions (thoughts) or compulsions (actions) that are severe enough to be time-consuming or to cause marked distress or significant impairment Examples: Cleaning. Repeatedly washing their hands, showering, or constantly cleaning their home Checking. Individuals may check several or even hundreds of times to make sure that doors are locked

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder A reaction to a serious traumatic event (such as a car accident, natural disaster, physical abuse or sexual abuse) in which the person was extremely afraid or seriously injured.

Social Phobias Excessive fear of situations in which the person might do something embarrassing or be evaluated negatively by others Examples: public speaking attending and participating in class meeting new people eating, drinking, or writing in public using public bathrooms shopping

Specific Phobias Marked, persistent, and excessive or unreasonable fear when in the presence of, or when anticipating, an encounter with a specific object or situation Examples: Animal type. ex: fear of spiders Natural environment type. ex: fear of water Blood injection, injury type. ex: fear of blood

Causes of anxiety disorders Caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. May develop as a result of a major stressor such as the death of a loved one, divorce and loss of a job There also appears to be a major genetic component

Treatment Modalities Individual psychotherapy Cognitive therapy Group/family therapy Psychopharmacology Antidepressants Anxiolytics Antihypertensive Others