Topic 7: Anxiety and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

Medications used

• benzodiazepines

• atypical anxiolytic/nonbarbiturate anxiolytic

• selective-serotonin reuptake-inhibitors (SSRI)

examples of benzodiazepines

chlordiazepoxide; alprazolam

chlordiazepoxide & alprazolam (benzodiazepine) action

decreases activity of neurons by enhancing inhibitory effects of GABA

chlordiazepoxide & alprazolam (benzodiazepine) therapeutic use

seizures, muscle spasm, alcohol withdrawal, induction of anesthesia 

chlordiazepoxide & alprazolam (benzodiazepine) complications

CNS depression (sedation, severe resp depression), amnesia, withdrawal effects (addictive)

what to administer during a chlordiazepoxide & alprazolam (benzodiazepine) overdose

flumazemil

chlordiazepoxide & alprazolam (benzodiazepine) contraindication

use short term bc risk of dependency

chlordiazepoxide & alprazolam (benzodiazepine) nursing considerations

keep in a secure place (dependency risk)

example of atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic

buspirone

bispirone (atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic) therapeutic use

panic discord, OCD, PTSD

bispirone (atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic) complications

dizziness, nausea, headache

T or F: A client can take bispirone (atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic) long term

True. A client can take bispirone (atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic) long term

T or F: bispirone (atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic) is immediately effective

False. bispirone takes one week to take effect (and 2-6 weeks for full effect)

T or F: A client can take bispirone (atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic) with food

True. A client can take atypical anxiolytic / nonbarbiturate anxiolytic with food

examples of SSRIs (anxiety)

sertraline & paroxetine

sertraline & paroxetine (SSRIs) action

increases serotonin in system

T or F: sertraline & paroxetine (SSRIs) take immediate effect

False.sertraline & paroxetine (SSRIs) may take up to four weeks to have therapeutic effects

sertraline & paroxetine (SSRIs) complications

• sexual dysfunction

• weight gain

• serotonin syndrome

serotonin syndrome symptoms

• agitation

• hallucinations

• tremors

• fever

• diaphoresis

T or F: sertraline & paroxetine (SSRIs) both treat insomnia

False. Only paroxetine treats insomnia

sertraline & paroxetine (SSRIs) therapeutic effects

• OCD

• trauma

• depressive disorder