Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Psychology Concept: ANXIETY

ANXIETY
Anxiety  – feeling, mood, emotional response, syndrome, symptom, or an illness
                – diffuse apprehension – vague nature
                – assoc with feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness, uneasiness – anticipation of danger   
                  from unknown source (Fear – has known source)
                – ubiquitous, common to everyone
                – of intra-psychic origin; can become psych emergency
Low levels – adaptive, provide motivation for survival
Anxiety – Problematic – unable to prevent anxiety from escalating to a level that interferes with ability to meet basic needs

4 Levels of Anxiety (Peplau):
1. Mild – seldom a problem
            – tension of everyday living
            –   prepares people for action; sharpens senses
            –   inc motivation for productivity; inc perceptual ability and awareness of env’t
            –   learning enhanced
            –   function @ optimal level
2. Moderate – extent of perceptual field diminishes
                       – less alert, attention span and ability to concentrate dec
                       – assistance with prob solving needed
                       – inc muscular tension and restlessness
3. Severe – greatly diminished perceptual field
                – focus on 1 particular detail or on many extraneous details
                – attention span extremely limited
                – much difficulty completing simplest task
                – physical & emotional Sx
4. Panic – most intense; unable to focus even on 1 detail
               – misperceptions – hallucinations/delusions
               – loss of contact with reality
               – wild & desperate actions / extreme withdrawal
               – feelings of terror; fear of going crazy, losing control or emotionally weak
              – prolonged-emotional exhaustion, life-threatening

Behavioral Adaptation Responses: (Menninger 1963)
Mild – sleeping, eating, phys exercise, smoking, crying, yawning, drinking, daydreaming, laughing, cursing, pacing, foot swinging, fidgeting, nail biting, finger tapping, talking to someone.

Moderate – use of ego defense mech
                    – maladaptive use-interference w/ ability to deal with: Reality, Interpersonal Relations, Occupational Performance
                  Compensation                  ​        Intellectualization           ​             Restitution      
                  Conversion                    ​            Introjection                  ​              Splitting
                  Denial                               ​        Projection                    ​             Sublimation
                  Displacement                  ​           Rationalization               ​            Substitution
                  Dissociation                  ​             Reaction-formation            ​        Suppression
                  Fixation                      ​                Regression                    ​             Symbolization
                  Identification                ​             Repression                    ​              Undoing

Moderate to Severe – anxiety levels that remain unresolved contribute to physio disorders
            (DSM IV-TR) – presence of 1/more specific psycho or behavioral factors that adversely
                                       affect general condition
                                    – psycho factors may exacerbate sx of delay recovery from or interfere
                                       with tx of med condition
                                    – condition may be initiated by envtl situation perceived as stressful

Severe – extended periods can result to psychoneurotic patterns of behaving
                   Neuroses – excessive anxiety expressed directly or altered thru defense mechanism
                                  – appear as Sx: obsession-compulsion, phobia, sexual dysfunction
                  Characs of people with Neuroses:
                     -     Aware they are experiencing distress
-          Aware that their behavior is maladaptive
-          Unaware of any possible psychological cause of distress
-          Feel helpless to change their situation
-          Experience no loss of contact with reality  

Panic – extreme level of anxiety; not capable of processing what is happening in env’t
           – lose contact w/ reality
              Psychoses – loss of ego boundaries / gross impairment of reality testing
                                – delusions, hallucinations, impairment of interpersonal functions
              Characs of people with Psychoses:
Exhibit minimal distress Unaware that their behavior is maladaptive Unaware of any psychological problem Exhibit flight from reality into a less stressful world  

Types of Anxiety:
*Normal – normal response to observable threat/fear
*Pathologic – response to internal/external threat, real/imagined, during w/c person experiences
                        a “felt” unpleasant emotional state
Other terms:
>Signal Anxiety – response to anticipated event
>Anxiety Trait – component of personality that has been present over a long period
                          – measurable by observing person’s physio, emo & cognitive behavior
>Anxiety State – result of stressful situation in w/c person loses control of his emotions
>Free-floating Anxiety – always present; accompanied by feeling of dread

Coping mech – MILD
Ego defense mech – MODERATE
Psycho-physiological response - MODERATE TO SEVERE
Psychoneurotic – SEVERE
Psychotic response – PANIC


PD – MILD->MODERATE
Mood disorders – MOD->SEVERE
Thought disorders – SEVERE->PANIC

Anxiety Disorders
*Phobia – most common mental health d/o in US
*Women – more often dx w/ AD
*OCD – equal in both sexes

Etiology:
 1. Genetics
 2. Neuroanatomical – brain pathology (limbic system-control mood, behavior; emotional)
                                    – cerebral ventricles, defects in R temporal lobe; asymmetrical R & L
                                       hemispheres; abnormality in frontal lobe & basal ganglia
3. Neurotransmitter Hypothesis – malfunctioning of noradrenergic system
                              ​                         – dysregulation in NE, Serotonin, GABA
4. Possible Endocrine Correlation – inc levels of TSH, Prolactin, Cortisol

5. Medical Conditions – Abnormality in HPA (hypothalamus[ANS], pituitary [master gland,
                                          hormones], adrenal) & HPT (thyroid) axes
                                      – Acute MI
                                      – Pheochromocytomas – tumor of adrenal gland
                                      – Substance Intoxication & withdrawal
                                      – Hypoglycemia
                                      – Caffeine Intoxication
                                      – Mitral Valve Prolapse
                                      – Complex partial seizures

6. Psychodynamic Theory – inability of ego to intervene w/ conflict bet. id & superego-anxiety
                                           – response of ego to unconscious, unacceptable thoughts & impulses
                                              that threaten to emerge into consciousness
                              ​              – delayed ego dev’t (unsatisfactory relationship)

7. Behavioral Theories – all behavior is learned
                                    – conditioned response to perceived threat/stimuli in env’t
8. Cognitive Theory – faulty, distorted or counterproductive thinking accompany or precede   
                                       maladaptive behavior & emotional disorders (irrational)

9. Others:
*Temperament – more than 50% of children experience normal fears & anxieties before 18y.o.
                              (innate fears)
                           – innate fears don’t reach phobic intensity but may have capacity for dev’t if
                              reinforced by events in later life

*Life Experiences – Early – symbolic of repressed original anxiety-provoking object/situation

GENERAL ANXIETY DISORDER
W – worries excessively
 O – out of control, out of proportion worry
 R – restlessness
 R – rigidity / inflexibility
  I – irritability
 E – easy fatigability
 R – r/o substance abuse or other med condition as cause
 S – sleep disturbances
PANIC DISORDER
-> discrete period of intense fear/discomfort in absence of real danger
-> develops abruptly – peak w/in 10 minutes
-> Autonomic Hyperactivity (Sympathetic NS)
-> 4/more of the ff:
                  A – abdominal distress, accelerated HR
                  B – breathlessness (smothering)
                  C – choking feeling, chills, chest pain
                  D – dizziness, derealization, depersonalization
                  F – fear of losing control, dying; flushes (hot)
                  S – shaking, sweating
                  T – tingling sensation (paresthesia)
 OCD 
Obsessions: I – intrinsic to person rather than effect of insertion
                    I – inappropriate & irrational
                    I – ignoring attempts to obliterate thoughts but failing to dismiss them completely
                    I - intrusive

Compulsion: R – repetitive or routinely done
                      R – reduction of obsession is the goal
                      R – ritualistic performance

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
 T – tragic exposure
 R – re-experiencing the episode
A – avoidance of recall
U – unable to function or the Sx interfere with daily functioning
M – month long duration of Sx
A – arousal experiences
 S – sleep pattern disturbance

SOCIAL PHOBIA
F – fear (marked/persistent) of 1/more social/performance situations; not due to physiological effects of substance, GMC, mental d/o
E – exposure to unfamiliar people/posible scrutiny – anxiety Sx that are humiliating; situationally-bound/predispose​d panic attack
A – avoidance of feared situations
R – recognized excessive & unreasonable fear & marked distress about having phobia
S – significant interference with normal routine, occupational or academic func, social activity

SPECIFIC PHOBIA
F – fear (marked/persistent) & cued by presence/anticipation of specific object/situation
E – exposure to phobic stimulus
A – avoidance of feared situations
R – recognize fear as excessive & unreasonable
S – significant interference with normal routine & functioning
*Animal Type, Natural Env’t, Blood Injection, Situational Type, Others
                                                                     PHOBIAS 
Acrophobia
Agoraphobia
Algophobia
Androphobia
Astrophobia
Autophobia
Aviophobia
Claustrophobia
Entomophobia
Hematophobia
Hydrophobia
Heights
Open places
Pain
Men
Storms,lightng,thunder
Being alone
Flying
Enclosed places
Insects
Blood
Water
Iarrophobia
Necrophobia
Nyctophobia
Ochlophobia
Ophidiophobia
Pathophobia
Pyrophobia
Sitophobia
Thanatophobia
Topophobia
Zoophobia
Doctors
Dead bodies
Night
Crowds
Snakes
Disease
Fire
Flood
Death
Particular space
Animals

Nsg Dx:
>Mod to Severe Anxiety                       ​     >Ineffective Individual Coping
>Fear                         ​                              ​      >Impaired Adjustment
>Powerlessness                ​                            >Social Isolation
>Acute Confusion                     ​                 >Risk for self-directed violence
>Alt Thought Process                       ​          >Self-esteem disturbances
>Alt Role Performance                   ​           >Alt Health Maintenance
>Alt Family Processes                     ​            >Impaired Verbal Communication

Interdisciplinary Plan:
*Assess anxiety thru physio, emotional & behavioral cues.
*Encourage verbally to recognize & verbalize feeling.
*Explore thoughts & circumstances.
*Help cope with what is now an identified specific threat.
*Maintain calm, non-stimulating env’t.
              -> Stay w/ person; establish & maintain eye contact; speak clearly, slowly & briefly.
*Use touch if appropriate & helpful.
*Orient.
*If hyperventilating: Instruct to change breathing patterns. Stand close, breathe w/ him.
*If patient shows by behavior but denies verbally: Give feedback.

Individual Psychotherapy – insight-oriented to help pt understand unconscious meaning of anxiety, symbolism of avoided situation, need to repress impulses & 2o gain from Sx.
Cognitive Therapy
– reduce anxiety by altering cognitive d/o
                                ​ – brief; time-limited; structured & orderly; focus - solving current probs
Behavior Therapy
      *Systematic Desensitization – relaxation tech; progressive exposure to hierarchy of fear stimuli when in relaxed state
      *Implosion Therapy (Flooding) – client must imagine extremely frightening situations for prolonged time; best w/ specific phobias
Group/Family Therapy – for clients w/ PTSD; emphasis on shared experiences; may be informal or led by experienced group therapists
 
Counseling Intervention
PHOBIA – In vivo desensitization; Cognitive reframing; Social skills training
OCD – Exposure & response prevention; Role model appropriate behavior; Thought stopping

ANXIOLYTICS
              Benzodiazepines – as needed basis; brief use (physical dependence, tolerance)
                            *Buspirone (Buspar) -> 10-14 day delay in alleviating Sx
Caution not to: Handle mech equipment; Drink alcohol/caffeinated beverages; Get pregnant; Breastfeed; Drink on empty stomach or with antacids
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
              *Tricyclics – Clomipramine, Imipramine
              *SSRIs – Paroxetine, Sertraline
ANTIHYPERTENSIVES
              *Ameliorate Anxiety Sx
              *Propanolol – potent effects on somatic Sx
              *Clonidine – block acute anxiety effects

PANIC – TCA, MAOI, SSRI, Benzodiazepines, Beta-blockers
 OCD – TCA, SSRI
Social Phobia – MAOI, Benzodiazepine
GAD – Benzodiazepine, Azapirone

>Milieu (Envt) Therapy – emotionally safe & supportive envt
                                       - goal- oriented contarcting
                                        – structured activities (wake to sleep)
                                        - daily log of anxiety triggers & rxns
                                        – reinforcement of learnings from individual/group therapies
                                          (for improvement)
>Self-Care Activities
- nurse assists the client with self care needs
– OCD -> help decrease lengthy handwashing
              ADLs:  D - dressing
                          E - eating
                         A - ambulating
                          T - toileting
                         H - hygiene
Health Education – Focus: Individual’s strengths & coping skills
Families: Do not tell person to be calm, relax or that she is being ridiculous.
                With OCD – don’t stop their behavior, it will increase anxiety.

 ANXIETY-RLTD D/O:
Psychophysiological Responses – those in w/c it has been determined that psycho factors contribute to initiation or exacerbation of phys condition
PF: mental d/o; psycho sx; personality traits/coping style; maladaptive health behavior; stress-related physio responses

Psychosomatic D/O – physical condition caused by mental illness
              Etiology: Selye’s GAS – fight-flight rxn; 3 stages: alarm, resistance, exhaustion
                               Emotional Specificity Theory
                              ​            *Shapiro & Crider – effects of emotions to physiologic func
                              ​            *Friedman & Rosenman – health risks due to personality types
Charac. of stress-prone personalities:
1.      Always focusing on personal problems
2.      Often feeling trapped
3.      Feeling of inadequacy
4.      Spreading oneself “too thin”
5.      Overly competitive
6.      Overly critical of self and others

7.      Always trying to better oneself
8.      Being impatient & easily frustrated
9.      Multi tasking @ onetime
10.  Constantly watching time
11.  Talking quickly during conversation
12.  Taking multiple jobs
13.  Constantly dealing with deadlines

                              ​  Organ Specificity Theory
                              ​     *Lacey, Bateman, Van Lehn – stress response-organ specific-susceptibility to disease
                              ​  Familial Theory
                              ​      *Salvador Minuchin – family dynamics influence dev’t of medical d/o
                                                  ​                 – psychosomatogenic family
                              ​  Learning Theory
                              ​            Physiologic response learned – reward, attention, reinforcement

Asthma – excessive dependency needs
Cancer – (Hafen, et.al) Type C personality; “nice guy’s disease”
              – repression of negative emotions; passivity, apologetic, overly cooperative
              – calm, placid exterior
              – unrealistic standards; inflexible; resent others for perceived wrongs
CAD – Type A
           – excessive competitive drive; very aggressive, ambitious
            – easily roused hostility
            – no time for hobbies
            – seldom feel satisfied w/ accomplishments
            – measure achievements in numbers produced
            – appear extroverted, outgoing, often concealing deep-seated insecurity
Peptic Ulcer – hostility, resentment, guilt, frustration -> inc gastric secretion & motility
                        – unhealthy attachment to others; excessive worriers, pessimists
Essential HPN – appear congenial, compliant, compulsive
                           – anger not openly expressed, rage handled poorly
Migraine HA – perfectionist, overly conscientious, inflexible; intelligent
                         – delegation of responsibility -> difficult
Rheumatoid Arthritis – self-sacrificing, masochistic, conforming, self-conscious, inhibited,   
                                          perfectionist
Ulcerative Colitis – predominance of OC traits
                              – neat, orderly, punctual, difficulty expressing anger


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