Disorders

GAD:

excessive uncontrolled worry about multiple life areas

main symptoms:

• chronic worry

• restlessness

• fatigue

• poor concentration

• muscle tension

• sleep disturbances

trigger/focus for GAD:

every day concerns (health, finances, family)

nursing considerations for GAD:

• teach relaxation techniques

• asses anxiety level

• encourage coping skills

• monitor effects on functioning

panic disorder:

recurrent unexpected panic attacks and fear of future panic attacks

main symptoms for panic attacks:

• palpations

• SOB

• sweating

• trembling'

• dizziness

• feeling of doom

• fear of dying

trigger/focus for panic attacks:

often no identifiable trigger

nursing considerations with panic disorder:

• rule out medical cause first

• stay with patient

• use calm, clear, communication

• teach breathing techniques

specific phobia:

intense fear of a specific object or situation

main symptoms of specific phobia:

• immediate anxiety response

• avoidance behavior

• panic symptoms when exposed

trigger/focus of specific phobias:

specific object or situation (heights, spiders, flying, needles)

nursing considerations for specific phobias:

• encourage gradual exposure therapy

• avoid reinforcing avoidance behaviors

social anxiety disorder:

fear of embarrassment, critic, or negative evaluation by others

main symptoms of social anxity disorder:

• avoids social situations

• public speaking fear

• blushing, trembling, nausea

trigger/focus:

• social interactions

• performance situations

nursing considerations for social anxiety disorder:

• support confidence building

• encourage participation in social activities

• assess for isolation and depression

obsessive compulsive disorder:

obsessions and or compulsions that interfere with life

obsessions: thoughts that are recurring that cause anxiety

compulsions: repetitive behavior perform to reduce anxiety

main symptoms of OCD:

• intrusive thoughts

• repetitive rituals

• checking

• counting

• washing

• arranging

trigger/focus of OCD:

obsessions: create anxiety

compulsions: temp reduce anxiety

nursing considerations for OCD:

• don’t stop rituals abruptly

• focus on anxiety reduction

• encourage CBT and medication adherence

body dysmorphic disorder:

preoccupation with perceived physical flaws not noticeable or minor to others

main symptoms of BDD:

• mirror checking

• excessive grooming

• seeking reassurance

• cosmetic procedure

trigger/focus for BDD:

• appearance concerns

nursing considerations for BDD:

• assess for SI risk and depression

• avoid validating distorted beliefs

• encourage mental health treatment

trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder:

recurrent hair pulling resulting in hair loss

main symptoms for hair pulling disorder:

• hair pulling from scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes

• tension before pulling and relief afterwards

trigger/focus of hair pulling disorder:

• stress

• anxiety

• boredom

• emotional distress

nursing considerations for hair pulling disorder:

• monitor skin integrity

• identify triggers

• alternative coping

• habit- reversal techniques

hoarding disorder:

persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of value

main symptoms of hoardig disorder:

• excessive clutter

• distress when discarding items

• impaired living spaces

trigger/focus of hoarding disorder:

• fear of loosing items

• future need for possessions

nursing considerations for hoarding disorder:

• assess safety hazards (falls, fire risk)

• focus on safety rather than forced removal of items

• support behavioral therapy