What is anxiety?
A feeling of apprehension, uneasiness, or dread that occurs in response to a real or perceived threat.
How does anxiety differ from fear?
Fear is a response to a known, specific danger, whereas anxiety is a response to an anticipated or uncertain threat.
Why is normal anxiety beneficial?
It promotes survival by increasing alertness, motivation, and problem-solving ability.
When does anxiety become an anxiety disorder?
When it is excessive, persistent, and interferes with daily functioning.
What lifestyle factors can worsen anxiety?
Poor sleep, inadequate exercise, poor nutrition, excessive caffeine, substance use, and chronic stress.
What characterizes mild anxiety?
Increased alertness, improved learning, and effective problem-solving.
What characterizes moderate anxiety?
Narrowed focus with decreased concentration, although learning is still possible with guidance.
What characterizes severe anxiety?
Greatly reduced perception, impaired learning, and automatic behavior.
What characterizes panic-level anxiety?
Loss of reality testing, inability to process the environment, and inability to function effectively.
At which anxiety level is learning most effective?
Mild anxiety.
At which anxiety level does selective inattention occur?
Moderate anxiety.
At which anxiety level is problem-solving no longer effective?
Severe anxiety.
At which anxiety level may hallucinations or delusions occur?
Panic-level anxiety.
What physical findings commonly accompany moderate anxiety?
Muscle tension, tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, tremors, and somatic complaints.
What physical findings commonly accompany severe anxiety?
Hyperventilation, confusion, automatic behaviors, and a sense of impending doom.
What is the nurse's priority during severe or panic anxiety?
Maintain safety, remain with the client, and reduce environmental stimulation.
How should nurses communicate with clients experiencing severe anxiety?
Use calm, short, simple, and clear statements.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
Persistent, excessive, and difficult-to-control worry about multiple aspects of life for at least 6 months.
What are the hallmark manifestations of GAD?
Excessive worry, restlessness, muscle tension, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, and sleep disturbance.
What is panic disorder?
A disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about future attacks.
What are common physical manifestations of a panic attack?
Palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, trembling, nausea, dizziness, sweating, chills, and fear of losing control or dying.
What is a specific phobia?
An excessive and irrational fear of a specific object or situation.
What is social anxiety disorder?
An intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or negatively evaluated in social or performance situations.
What is agoraphobia?
An intense fear of places or situations where escape may be difficult or help may be unavailable.
What behaviors are common with agoraphobia?
Avoidance of crowds, public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, or leaving home.
What is separation anxiety disorder?
Excessive fear or distress related to separation from an important attachment figure.
What physical symptoms may occur with separation anxiety disorder?
Headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and sleep disturbances.
What is the primary nursing goal for clients with anxiety disorders?
Reduce anxiety, improve functioning, and promote healthy coping strategies.
Which therapy is considered first-line for most anxiety disorders when combined with medication if needed?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
A disorder characterized by intrusive obsessions and repetitive compulsions performed to reduce anxiety.
What is an obsession?
An unwanted, persistent, intrusive thought, urge, or image that causes distress.
What is a compulsion?
A repetitive behavior or mental act performed to temporarily reduce anxiety caused by an obsession.
Do compulsions eliminate the source of anxiety?
No. They provide temporary relief but do not resolve the underlying anxiety.
How does OCD affect daily functioning?
Obsessions and compulsions consume time and interfere with social, occupational, and personal functioning.
What is hoarding disorder?
Persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of their value, leading to significant clutter and impairment.
What is body dysmorphic disorder?
A preoccupation with perceived defects in physical appearance that are minor or not observable to others.
How do clients with body dysmorphic disorder commonly respond to perceived flaws?
They engage in repetitive behaviors such as checking, grooming, or comparing their appearance.
What is trichotillomania?
A disorder involving recurrent pulling of one's hair that results in noticeable hair loss.
What is excoriation disorder?
A disorder characterized by repetitive skin picking that causes tissue damage or lesions.
Which standardized screening tool evaluates generalized anxiety severity?
Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety.
Which screening tool is commonly used for OCD severity?
Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale.
What is the nursing priority during a panic attack?
Remain with the client, maintain safety, and provide a calm environment.
How can relaxation techniques benefit clients with anxiety disorders?
They reduce muscle tension, decrease physiologic arousal, and improve coping.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
A psychotherapy that identifies and replaces distorted thoughts with healthier, realistic thinking patterns.
What is the primary goal of CBT for anxiety disorders?
Reduce anxiety by changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
A therapy that teaches acceptance of difficult thoughts while committing to behaviors consistent with personal values.
What is systematic desensitization?
Gradual exposure to an anxiety-provoking stimulus while practicing relaxation techniques.
What is flooding?
Continuous exposure to a feared stimulus until the anxiety response decreases.
What is response prevention (ERP)?
Preventing compulsive behaviors so anxiety gradually decreases over time.
For which disorder is exposure and response prevention considered especially effective?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
What is modeling?
Learning adaptive behaviors by observing another person successfully perform them.
What is thought stopping?
Interrupting intrusive or repetitive thoughts and replacing them with healthier thoughts.
What is relaxation training?
A group of techniques that decrease physiologic arousal and reduce anxiety.
What is guided imagery?
Using calming mental images to promote relaxation and decrease stress.
What is progressive muscle relaxation?
Systematically tightening and relaxing muscle groups to reduce physical tension.
What is deep-breathing therapy?
Slow, controlled breathing used to decrease physiologic symptoms of anxiety.
What is biofeedback?
Using electronic monitoring to help clients gain voluntary control over physiologic responses.
Why should relaxation techniques be practiced regularly?
Frequent practice improves their effectiveness during stressful situations.
What lifestyle modifications help reduce anxiety?
Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, limiting caffeine, and avoiding substance misuse.
Why is consistent medication adherence important?
Many anxiety medications require several weeks before full therapeutic effects occur.
What is the purpose of supportive counseling?
To encourage emotional expression, problem-solving, and adaptive coping.
What are the expected outcomes of successful anxiety treatment?
Reduced anxiety, improved functioning, healthier coping, normal sleep, and better participation in daily activities.
What is the overall goal of therapy for anxiety disorders?
Help clients manage anxiety effectively while improving quality of life and daily functioning.