Title: Care of Clients with Disorders Related to Pathological Use of Anxiety
Course: NUR 1521C Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing > Section: Module 6

As the single largest mental health problem in the United States, it is estimated that 13.3% of the adult population suffer from anxiety disorders at a cost of $22 billion per year. Clients with varying levels of anxiety are found in all types of clinical facilities, from community clinics to medical-surgical settings, to intensive care units. Without relief, anxiety related disorders can reduce a client’s productivity and have an adverse effect on one’s quality of life and personal relationships. This unit will address the nurse’s role in understanding and assisting clients with anxiety related disorders.

Learning Outcomes: ADN Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

- Use effective communication skills appropriate for nursing.
- Apply clinical judgment in providing care throughout the lifecycle using the nursing process.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ethical/legal practice and continuous learning for personal and professional growth.
- Provide competent and safe client care in health care settings.
- Engage in teaching and learning with clients throughout the lifecycle.

Objectives

- Define basic concepts of anxiety and defense mechanisms. (SLO#1)
- Clarify symptoms and interventions for mild, moderate severe, and panic anxiety. (SLO#1,2)
- Classify and compare types and clinical pictures of anxiety disorders including somatoform and dissociative disorders. (SLO#1,2)
- Identify the symptomatology associated with each of the anxiety disorders. (SLO#1)
- Integrate the nursing process in developing plans of care for clients with each of the anxiety disorders. (SLO#1,2,3,4)
- Explain psychosocial interventions that would be appropriate for a client with somatic complaints. (SLO#1,2,)
- Select topics for client/family education related to each of the anxiety disorders. (SLO#1,5)
- Evaluate nursing care of clients with each type of anxiety disorder. (SLO#1,2,4)
- Explain current treatment modalities available for clients with each anxiety disorder. (SLO#1,3)
- Compare three classes of medication appropriate for anxiety disorders. (SLO#1)

Reading Assignments

Varcarolis,E.(20010). Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (6th ed.) St. Louis Missouri: Saunders/Elsevier

- Chapter 11 Understanding Responses to Stress
- Chapter 12 Anxiety Disorders
- Chapter 22 Somatoform, Factitious, and Dissociative Disorders

Recommended Reading

Varcarolis,E.(2011) Manual of Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans (4th ed.) St. Louis Missouri: Saunders/Elsevier

- Chapter 5 Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders.

Internet References

- The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) http://www.adaa.org
- International OCD Foundation
- WebMD Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) Videos
- National Institute of Mental Health Anxiety Disorders
- The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) On OCD
- Dept. of Veterans' Affairs - PTSD
- Medline Plus Somatization Disorder