What is mental health?
includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we
think feel and act.
It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices
How are people affected by anxiety?
Can be constructive (mild - causes you to study for a test), but when it becomes
moderate or severe more issues arise (increased BP+HR, narrowed perception
of information, disorganized + emotional fatigue
Types of anxiety disorders
Generalized anxiety, phobic disorders, obsessive disorders (OCD), post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
GAD
Chronic worrying daily for 6 + months. Worrying is out of proportion with
reality. Other signs and symptoms of anxiety are included
Phonic disorders
Person manifests exaggerated fear (commonly insects, animals, life experiences
such as roller coasters, etc.)
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Manifested by the performance of an anxiety-relieving ritual (compulsion) to
terminate a disturbing,persistent and reoccurring thought (intrusive thoughts)
and obsessions (ex. Cleaning, checking, counting, touching, repeating)
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
A delayed stress reaction to a prior incident. 3+ months after an emotionally
traumatic experience.
symptoms of anxiety
, fatique, headache, Increased HR + BP, Difficulty, breathing
Nursing Interventions for anixety
Build trust: be available + attentive to needs. Don't leave the, alone
(abandonment can escalate anxiety)
restore comfort: ask client to suggest what may be comforting (nonverbal
support, talk about how they feel)
modify communication: avoid interrupting anxious clients (verbalizing doesn't
always relieve anxiety, but can be beneficial. Talking can help process
information). Some clients may not want to talk with the nurse- can offer
referral to another health professional
adjust teaching: simple, brief, and repeat explanations/direction. Reduce sensory
stimulation. (Do lights, eliminate noise interruptions)
help problem solve: avoid influencing client choices, but help clients follow
step by step problem solving process to make decisions. Once decision is made,
the nurse will advocate for them
ensure safety: remain calm, interact one on one
What are some treatments for anixety
Medications, psychotherapy
What types of medications to treat anxiety
Anxiolytics: benzodiazepines (Xanax, klonopin, Valium, ativan)
Beta-adrenergic Blockers: receptors for norepinephrine - located in the heart *
lungs . When norepinephrine stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors, increase in
HR, forcefulness of heart contractions, and dilation of bronchi- fight or fight
(example: propranolol, atenolol, metoprolol) reduce nervous system stimulation
that causes symptoms associated with anxiety
Central-acting sympatholytics: beta alpha-2 receptors for norepinephrine in the
includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we
think feel and act.
It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices
How are people affected by anxiety?
Can be constructive (mild - causes you to study for a test), but when it becomes
moderate or severe more issues arise (increased BP+HR, narrowed perception
of information, disorganized + emotional fatigue
Types of anxiety disorders
Generalized anxiety, phobic disorders, obsessive disorders (OCD), post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
GAD
Chronic worrying daily for 6 + months. Worrying is out of proportion with
reality. Other signs and symptoms of anxiety are included
Phonic disorders
Person manifests exaggerated fear (commonly insects, animals, life experiences
such as roller coasters, etc.)
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Manifested by the performance of an anxiety-relieving ritual (compulsion) to
terminate a disturbing,persistent and reoccurring thought (intrusive thoughts)
and obsessions (ex. Cleaning, checking, counting, touching, repeating)
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
A delayed stress reaction to a prior incident. 3+ months after an emotionally
traumatic experience.
symptoms of anxiety
, fatique, headache, Increased HR + BP, Difficulty, breathing
Nursing Interventions for anixety
Build trust: be available + attentive to needs. Don't leave the, alone
(abandonment can escalate anxiety)
restore comfort: ask client to suggest what may be comforting (nonverbal
support, talk about how they feel)
modify communication: avoid interrupting anxious clients (verbalizing doesn't
always relieve anxiety, but can be beneficial. Talking can help process
information). Some clients may not want to talk with the nurse- can offer
referral to another health professional
adjust teaching: simple, brief, and repeat explanations/direction. Reduce sensory
stimulation. (Do lights, eliminate noise interruptions)
help problem solve: avoid influencing client choices, but help clients follow
step by step problem solving process to make decisions. Once decision is made,
the nurse will advocate for them
ensure safety: remain calm, interact one on one
What are some treatments for anixety
Medications, psychotherapy
What types of medications to treat anxiety
Anxiolytics: benzodiazepines (Xanax, klonopin, Valium, ativan)
Beta-adrenergic Blockers: receptors for norepinephrine - located in the heart *
lungs . When norepinephrine stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors, increase in
HR, forcefulness of heart contractions, and dilation of bronchi- fight or fight
(example: propranolol, atenolol, metoprolol) reduce nervous system stimulation
that causes symptoms associated with anxiety
Central-acting sympatholytics: beta alpha-2 receptors for norepinephrine in the
