PMHNP I - Exam 2 - Anxiety Disorders
question and answers already passed
What is Anxiety? - ✔✔Unpleasant and overriding mental tension that has no apparent identifiable
cause and is accompanied by physical distress and disruption of activities of daily living.
A pathological state characterized by a feeling of dread and accompanied by somatic signs indicative of
hyperactive autonomic nervous system, differentiated from fear which has a KNOWN CAUSE.
Characteristics of Anxiety - ✔✔Uncomfortable feeling of apprehension, a response to internal or
external stimuli; heightened awareness of sensations; sense of dread; experienced cognitively,
emotionally and behaviorally.
Theories: Psychodynamic Theory - ✔✔Conflict of the unconscious
Theories: Interpersonal Theory - ✔✔Anxiety arises when a person's needs are unmet.
Anxiety Facts - ✔✔Most common group of psychiatric disorders
Lifetime prevalence of 28.8% in the US
Anxiety disorders, other than OCD and social phobia, are MORE COMMON IN FEMALES.
Usually manifest in adolescence and early adulthood - MEDIAN ONSET OF AGE IS 11
Patients often visit primary care setting first.
Anxiety disorders often exist with substance abuse, depression, and eating disorders.
One of the MOST COMMON HUMAN EMOTIONS.
RFs: - ✔✔Having a first degree relative with panic disorder (Genetic loading)
Limited range of coping skills (Prayer, Meditation, Friends)
History of trauma
High levels of parental distress can affect the child's ability to cope with stressful events
, Levels of Anxiety: Mild - ✔✔Normative level, can be MOTIVATING
NL VS
Perceptual field BROADENED
Heightened awareness of the environment
Levels of Anxiety: Moderate - ✔✔Normative level, response to EXTREME STRESSOR
Mild increase in HR, slight increase in muscle tone
Subjective feeling of tension or worry
NARROWED perceptions
Levels of Anxiety: Severe - ✔✔PATHOLOGICAL level
FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT response; ANS is triggered; increased VS, diaphoresis, diarrhea, urinary frequency,
dilated pupils
Perception field NARROWED
Difficulty problem solving
Selective inattention
Levels of Anxiety: Panic - ✔✔PATHOLOGICAL level
Severe symptoms markedly increased; POOR EYE-HAND COORDINATION; Dizziness; SOB; decrease in
hearing; MAY APPEAR PALE, HYPOTN
SCATTERED perceptions
Unable to pay attention to environmental stimuli
Illogical thinking
May hallucinate or experience delusions
question and answers already passed
What is Anxiety? - ✔✔Unpleasant and overriding mental tension that has no apparent identifiable
cause and is accompanied by physical distress and disruption of activities of daily living.
A pathological state characterized by a feeling of dread and accompanied by somatic signs indicative of
hyperactive autonomic nervous system, differentiated from fear which has a KNOWN CAUSE.
Characteristics of Anxiety - ✔✔Uncomfortable feeling of apprehension, a response to internal or
external stimuli; heightened awareness of sensations; sense of dread; experienced cognitively,
emotionally and behaviorally.
Theories: Psychodynamic Theory - ✔✔Conflict of the unconscious
Theories: Interpersonal Theory - ✔✔Anxiety arises when a person's needs are unmet.
Anxiety Facts - ✔✔Most common group of psychiatric disorders
Lifetime prevalence of 28.8% in the US
Anxiety disorders, other than OCD and social phobia, are MORE COMMON IN FEMALES.
Usually manifest in adolescence and early adulthood - MEDIAN ONSET OF AGE IS 11
Patients often visit primary care setting first.
Anxiety disorders often exist with substance abuse, depression, and eating disorders.
One of the MOST COMMON HUMAN EMOTIONS.
RFs: - ✔✔Having a first degree relative with panic disorder (Genetic loading)
Limited range of coping skills (Prayer, Meditation, Friends)
History of trauma
High levels of parental distress can affect the child's ability to cope with stressful events
, Levels of Anxiety: Mild - ✔✔Normative level, can be MOTIVATING
NL VS
Perceptual field BROADENED
Heightened awareness of the environment
Levels of Anxiety: Moderate - ✔✔Normative level, response to EXTREME STRESSOR
Mild increase in HR, slight increase in muscle tone
Subjective feeling of tension or worry
NARROWED perceptions
Levels of Anxiety: Severe - ✔✔PATHOLOGICAL level
FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT response; ANS is triggered; increased VS, diaphoresis, diarrhea, urinary frequency,
dilated pupils
Perception field NARROWED
Difficulty problem solving
Selective inattention
Levels of Anxiety: Panic - ✔✔PATHOLOGICAL level
Severe symptoms markedly increased; POOR EYE-HAND COORDINATION; Dizziness; SOB; decrease in
hearing; MAY APPEAR PALE, HYPOTN
SCATTERED perceptions
Unable to pay attention to environmental stimuli
Illogical thinking
May hallucinate or experience delusions
