What is anxiety?It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes. It’s how we respond to feeling threatened, under pressure or stressed: for example if we have an exam, job interview or doctor’s appointment. Show
Anxiety isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can spur us on, help us stay alert, make us aware of risks and motivate us to solve problems. However, anxiety can be a problem if it’s affecting your ability to live your life. If your anxiety is ongoing, intense, hard to control or out of proportion to your situation, it can be the sign of a mental health problem. Help is available no matter how long you’ve felt anxious for or how severe your symptoms are. There are many different types of treatment, so talk to your GP about all your options. What are the symptoms of anxiety?Anxiety can affect both your body and mind. The effect on your mind can include:
Physical feelings can include:
Anxiety can also affect your behaviour. You may withdraw from friends and family, feel unable to go to work, or avoid certain places. While avoiding situations can give you short-term relief, the anxiety often returns the next time you’re in the situation. Avoiding it only reinforces the feeling of danger and never gives you a chance to find out whether your fears are true or not. Some people with anxiety may appear to be fine on the outside while still having some of the symptoms listed above. You may have developed ways of hiding your anxiety so that other people don’t notice it. What is an anxiety disorder?If your symptoms of anxiety meet a certain criteria, your GP may diagnose you with an anxiety disorder. Some common anxiety disorders include:
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems. Up to 1 in 20 people in the UK have generalised anxiety disorder. What causes anxiety disorders?There are many different factors that can make anxiety disorders more likely to happen. These include genetics, having a painful long-term health condition, traumatic events such as childhood abuse or domestic violence, or drug or alcohol misuse. Your current life situation can also trigger anxiety – for example, money or housing problems, unemployment, work stress, loneliness, bullying, or difficult family or personal relationships. Getting supportThere are different ways to treat and manage anxiety disorders. The right treatment for you will depend on your type of anxiety disorder, how severe it is and your personal circumstances. The first step to getting support is usually to speak to your GP. This might feel hard, especially if your anxiety makes it difficult to speak on the phone or leave your home. See if you can book an appointment online, or ask someone to call up to book it for you. They could also come with you to your appointment for support. Or you could refer yourself for talking therapy (in England only) if that feels easier. During your appointment, your GP will assess you and then explain your treatment options. Self-help resourcesYour GP may offer you self-help resources such as workbooks or online CBT courses. These are often available quite quickly and may be enough to help you feel better without trying other options. NHS Inform has an online anxiety self-help guide you can work through. Talking therapyThis involves working through your thoughts, feelings and behaviours with a mental health professional. Two kinds of therapy are particularly recommended for anxiety.
MedicationThere are different medications to manage both the physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety. Talk to your GP about which one might be right for you. The NHS website has more information about medication for anxiety disorders. Ways you can look after yourself
Further resources and informationOur guide on how to overcome fear and anxiety. Which signs would suggest an overdose of an antianxiety agent?Option B: Signs of antianxiety agent overdose include emotional lability, euphoria, and impaired memory. Option A: Hallucinogen overdose can produce suspiciousness, dilated pupils, and increased blood pressure.
Which treatment will the nurse inform the client has the highest success rate for phobias?Cognitive behavior therapy is a combination of behavior therapy and cognitive therapy, and is currently the most accepted and successful psychological treatment for anxiety and phobia.
Which of the following best explains why tricyclic anti depressants are used with caution in elderly patients?[1] Tricyclic antidepressant blood levels should be monitored since tricyclics are associated with more toxicity and since blood levels can be high despite low doses because some patients can be slow metabolizers.
What is the nurse's most important role in caring for a client with a mental health disorder?A patient with mental illness may require nurses to adopt the following strategy: Assess a patient's mental state. Establish good communication with the patient. Build a relationship with the patient.
|