Understanding Anxiety disorder
Georgia is a 22-year-old student who feels overwhelmed by her life and the workload of her studies. She is unable to cope with all that stress in her life. She feels lonely as she lives alone and her parents live at a distance from her and about four hours away. Her family lives far away, and she has few friends. She had had no relationship for more than two years now. She has no history of substance use and doesn’t smoke but feels that she is unable to cope. She has been stressed out for the past six months, and her stress levels have become increasingly worse.
Georgia has difficulty concentrating and is thus unable to study full-time. She feels fatigued and doesn’t sleep soundly. Her physical symptoms include heart pounding and feeling short of breath. Her mother too suffers anxiety issues. She is facing stress for a long time now and is overwhelmed by her situation. Her anxiety is interfering with her daily activities, and she is beginning to show physical symptoms. Clearly, Georgia is suffering from anxiety disorders and needs to be treated.
Understanding Anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorders are often measured as specific types such as test anxiety, trait anxiety, social anxiety, specific fears and more. In primary care practice, the general anxiety is used to detect other types of anxiety disorder such as panic disorder, social phobia and anxiety disorder. It is essential to identify anxiety disorders because of their prevalence and related disability (Terluin, Oosterbaan, Brouwers, van Straten, van de Ven, Langerak & van Marwijk, 2014). General practitioners state that while they are able to identify a mental health problem in anxiety disorder patients, it is not easy for them to recognize a specific anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders affect about 20% of youth and are associated with reduced quality of life (Weiner, Elkins, Pincus, & Comer, 2015). Researchers find a link between sleep difficulties and anxiety. Majority of individual with anxiety problems report sleep difficulties.
Anxiety disorder impacts the thinking patterns as the thoughts becoming rapid and cloudy, especially in threatening and dangerous situations. Clients become more negative and underestimate their ability to cope (Day, 2018). Their perceptions become distorted, and they may face unpleasant Physiological responses such as sweating, numbness, and tingling. Anxiety disorder patients often complain about rapid breathing, blurred vision, and butterflies in the stomach. One can relate those symptoms to Georgia who faces shortness of breath and remains anxious all the time. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with constant anxiety and worry is the most common type of anxiety disorder (Butnoriene, Steibliene, Saudargiene, & Bunevicius, 2018). When left untreated, it can lead to extreme distress and functional impairment.
The Relationship between Mental Health and Physical Health
The Anxiety Disorders Research Network and World Federation of Societies have organized a report on biological markers of anxiety disorders (Bandelow, Baldwin, Abelli, Bolea-Alamanac, Bourin, Chamberlain, & Riederer , 2017). The objective is to understand the role of central nervous system and improve the clinical outcomes. Blood-based biomarkers still remain in initial stages of progress. There is still no proof of the precise malfunctioning of a neurotransmitter system which is the prime cause behind anxiety disorders. Serotonin reuptake inhibitions are commonly used as antidepressants (Bandelow et al., 2017).
Effective treatment can possibly lower the medical and psychiatric care costs of the patient and lead to better outcomes (Markowitz, Lipsitz, & Milrod, 2014).
The relationship between mental health and physical health
About one in four adults suffer from an anxiety disorder and experience considerable physical and emotional discomfort. Co-occurring anxiety disorders in these patients add to the elevated risk for suicide (Murrough, Yaqubi, Sayed. & Charney, 2015). There is a strong connection between mental health and physical health. Anxiety can weaken the mental health and lead to severe physical conditions. In the case of Georgia, one can see that she is already showing the physical symptoms like heart pounding, impaired sleep, and fatigue feeling. She is not able to focus and work properly
According to Weiner et al. (2015), getting adequate and sound sleep in childhood is essential for optimum educational performance and cognitive development. Children need the right amount of asleep for overall health development. Insufficient sleep can result in disruptive behavior, inattention, reduced cognitive functioning, and social difficulties. The metabolic processes and immune system processes carry the negative impact of insufficient sleep. Mental health problems are linked to reduced educational realization, reduced work performance, and relational problems. Research indicates that half of the youths fail to finish secondary school due to mental disorders. About 40% of the general adult population has anxiety at one-time (Gustavson, Knudsen, Nesvåg, Knudsen, Vollset, & Reichborn-Kjennerud, 2018). As mental health issues are prevalent among young people, some people face the increased risk of diminished functioning due to mental disorders.
According to Murrough et al., 2015), one of the most disabling psychiatric disorders are the anxiety disorders. Patients with anxiety disorders suffer substantial physical and emotional discomfort. Co-occurring anxiety disorders are related with chronic anxiety disorders such as the bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Excessive fear and anxiety is the central feature of anxiety disorders.
A Comprehensive Understanding of Personal Recovery from Anxiety
It is essential for Georgia to visit her doctor who can help her understand the connection between mental and physical health and the risks of delaying or avoiding the treatment. Once she realizes the links between mind and body, she would be more accepting towards taking the treatment. It is essential to treat her mental health issues rather than just focus on the physical problems like low fatigue, poor sleep, and pounding heart.
A comprehensive understanding of personal recovery from anxiety
Recovery in people with anxiety disorders is based on person-centered care. Self-management is an essential part of personal recovery. Their clinical and personal recovery pointers are linked to individualized arrangements of self-management approaches (Coulombe, Radziszewski, Meunier, Provencher, Hudon, Roberge, & … Houle, 2016).
The first line of action of anxiety disorders supports the effectiveness of SSRIs and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) The second line of the treatment includes Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the issues of safety and tolerability. New monoaminergic agents and SGAs are currently under clinical development for anxiety disorders. Current mental health policies emphasize recovery-oriented services across all age groups. Positive identity empowerment and control, social connectivity, optimism, hope and discovering purpose are part of recovery-enhancing processes (John, Jeffries, Acuna?Rivera, Warren, & Simonds, 2015). Responses to individual dimensions can help treatment preparation and make the progress in a more planed way. It is essential to get a more all-inclusive picture of service efficiency by using recovery-based measures and symptom-based outcome measures. The patient should not just be a good patient and meet the needs of the mental health professional, he should enjoy good relationship with his friends, family and his society and community. His recovery is not a private one or isolated but connected to the his role in the society (NYC Health, 2013).
Recognizing and responding to the mental health needs
Lifetime occurrence of anxiety disorders is almost as great as mood disorders and substance use disorders. However, anxiety disorders often go under-diagnosed and ignored and thus are under-treated (Katzman, Bleau, Blier, Chokka, Kjernisted,Van Ameringen, & the Canadian Anxiety Guidelines Initiative Group., 2014). Psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers need specific guidelines for the analysis and handling of anxiety and related disorders. It is essential to recognize and respond to the mental health needs of the patient.
Anxiety disorders patients are likely to go to s primary care provider for treatment rather than a mental health care specialist. However, the primary care providers recognize only up to a minor proportion of anxiety cases. Effective screening strategies at the primary care facilities can increase the availability of better treatment and suitable interventions (Butnoriene et al., 2018). Despite the accessibility of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological managements for anxiety disorders, a significant number of anxiety disorders patients do not get evidence-based treatment. The guidelines are there, but their practical implementation is difficult to achieve. A survey shows that although mental health care professionals are familiar with these guidelines, very few actually follow or use those guidelines in practice (Van Dijk,Verbraak, Oosterbaan & van Balkom., 2012). However, it is possible to implement and practice the guidelines for anxiety disorders. What the patient needs is a customized plan and multi-faceted execution strategies for optimal treatment outcomes.
Recognizing and Responding to the Mental Health Needs
Health and Clinical Excellence, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence include the guidelines for the most effective psychological treatments for anxiety disorders. (McManus, Shafran, & Cooper, 2010). Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been evaluated in many clinical trials for depression. The transdiagnostic approach combines an individual’s psychopathology with validated manual-based treatments. The transdiagnostic approach leads to additional practical benefits when treating anxiety disorders. The anxiety disorder treatment tactics tap into the strengths of the patient show better results. When comparing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), findings disclose that specific profiles of patients can help forecast the dropout form the ACT or CBT therapies (Niles, Andrea, Kate, Wolitzky-Taylor, Joanna J. Arch, & Michelle G. Craske, 2017). Aspects like current psychiatric medication, control over internal anxiety, endurance and religiosity are related with better result in CBT than in ACT. Patients show more positive outcomes and superior self-effectiveness in the CBT approach.
Anxiety disorders respond to diverse therapeutic approaches. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) holds the best track record for anxiety disorder treatments. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) too suggests benefits for patients with anxiety disorders. As there is no single treatments hat is known to benefits all patients, it is essential to treat anxiety disorders with different empirically supported psychotherapies (Markowitz, Lipsitz, & Milrod, 2014). CBT protocols are highly structured based on cognitive and/or behavioral psychoeducational rationale. IPT focuses not on thoughts or behavioral tasks but on the interpersonal feelings in different situations as stated by Markowitz, Lipsitz, & Milrod (2014).
Recovery for Georgia would mean a successful outcome of her treatment. Her doctor should place her under observation for full or partial recovery and the potential to have a recurrence. Symptom reduction and personal recovery based on a self-management support are essential here.
Implications for the practice of health professionals
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) is the revised publication for anxiety disorders in the United States. Anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, selective mutism, medication-induced anxiety disorder, and specific phobia are recognized in DSM-V (Murrough et al., 2015). The DSM-V recognizes panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism as anxiety disorders (Murrough et al., 2015). Health professionals should be aware of those guidelines for anxiety disorders and implement the right strategies.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the recommended frontline psychological management for adolescents suffering from an anxiety disorder. Adolescents are often reluctant to seek professional treatment as they believe that they can cope alone. It is essential to remove the barriers and low mental-health literacy (Wozney, Baxter, & Newton, 2015). As stated by Wozney, Baxter, & Newton (2015), CBT is very efficient at decreasing signs and augmenting daily functioning in adolescents with anxiety disorders. The anxious thoughts are replaced with more adaptive and positive thoughts that will enhance functioning and lowers anxiety.
The most appropriate sleep intervention for anxious youth can differ by the patient age. The younger children exhibit greater sleep anxiety while younger adults show daytime sleepiness. It is essential to educate, children, youth and their parents about the significance of sleep and quality of sleep. Clinicians working with anxious youth should link anxiety symptoms with sleep onset latency as stated by Weiner et al., (2015).
At present, the SSRI and SNRI are the first-line treatment plan for anxiety disorders. TCAs and MAOIs are effective but carry limited use because of tolerability issues. Other available treatments include anticonvulsants and SGAs (Murrough et al.,2015). New monoaminergic agents and SGAs are currently in clinical development. Breathe, a Web-based, CBT management program developed for anxious youths features telephone and Email support by a trained healthcare professional. Users described a higher level of satisfaction with the Breathe intervention (Wozney, Baxter, & Newton, 2015). The exprie4cnes of the young people with the internet-based program lays the ground for further improvements.
Conclusion
Georgia should seek treatment right away as her physical and emotional symptoms point towards anxiety disorder. The mental health care professional will examine her medical history and study her symptoms to diagnose anxiety disorders specifically. She may need antidepressants and Psychotherapy to control her symptoms. Her physicians should ensure that he implements the guidelines for psychological treatments effectively and follows the right line of treatment to address the emotional response of the patient and help her deal with her anxiety disorder. Georgia can be given the antidepressants based on her safety and tolerability. Along with the medication, she needs regular counseling sessions to change her pattern of thinkin
References
Butnoriene, J., Steibliene, V., Saudargiene, A., & Bunevicius, A. (2018). Does presence of metabolic syndrome impact anxiety and depressive disorder screening results in middle aged and elderly individuals? A population based study. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), 5.
Bandelow, B., Baldwin, D., Abelli, M., Bolea-Alamanac, B., Bourin, M., Chamberlain, S. R., … Riederer, P. (2017). Biological markers for anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD: A consensus statement. Part II: Neurochemistry, neurophysiology and neurocognition. The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry?: The Official Journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry, 18(3), 162–214.
Coulombe, S., Radziszewski, S., Meunier, S., Provencher, H., Hudon, C., Roberge, P., & … Houle, J. (2016). Profiles of recovery from mood and anxiety disorders: A person-centered exploration of people’s engagement in self-management. Frontiers In Psychology, 7
Day, P. (2018). Treatment of anxiety in elderly housebound patients. Journal Of Community Nursing, 32(2), 52-55
Gustavson, K., Knudsen, A. K., Nesvåg, R., Knudsen, G. P., Vollset, S. E., & Reichborn-Kjennerud, T. (2018). Prevalence and stability of mental disorders among young adults: findings from a longitudinal study. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), 65.
John, M., Jeffries, F. W., Acuna?Rivera, M., Warren, F., & Simonds, L. M. (2015). Development of measures to assess personal recovery in young people treated in specialist mental health services. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 22(6), 513-524.
Katzman, M. A., Bleau, P., Blier, P., Chokka, P., Kjernisted, K., Van Ameringen, M., & the Canadian Anxiety Guidelines Initiative Group on behalf of the Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada/Association Canadienne des troubles anxieux and McGill University. (2014). Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 14(Suppl 1)
Murrough, J. W., Yaqubi, S., Sayed, S., & Charney, D. S. (2015). Emerging Drugs for the Treatment of Anxiety. Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs, 20(3), 393–406.
McManus, F., Shafran, R., & Cooper, Z. (2010). What does a ‘transdiagnostic’ approach have to offer the treatment of anxiety disorders?. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49(4), 491-505.
Markowitz, J. C., Lipsitz, J., & Milrod, B. L. (2014). Critical Review of Outcome Research On Interpersonal Psychotherapy For Anxiety Disorders. Depression and Anxiety, 31(4), 316–325.
NYC Health. (2013). Measuring Recovery: A Toolkit for Mental Health Providers in New York City. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 1(1), 1–29.
Niles, Andrea N., Kate B. Wolitzky-Taylor, Joanna J. Arch, and Michelle G. Craske. (2017). “Applying a novel statistical method to advance the personalized treatment of anxiety disorders: A composite moderator of comparative drop-out from CBT and ACT.” Behaviour Research and Therapy 91, 13-23.
Terluin, B., Oosterbaan, D. B., Brouwers, E. P., van Straten, A., van de Ven, P. M., Langerak, W., & van Marwijk, H. W. (2014). To what extent does the anxiety scale of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) detect specific types of anxiety disorder in primary care? A psychometric study. BMC Psychiatry, 14, 121.
Van Dijk, M. K., Verbraak, M. J., Oosterbaan, D. B., & van Balkom, A. J. (2012). Implementing practice guidelines for anxiety disorders in secondary mental health care: a case study. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 6, 20.
Weiner, C. L., Elkins, M., Pincus, D., & Comer, J. (2015). Anxiety Sensitivity and Sleep-Related Problems in Anxious Youth. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 32, 66–72.
Wozney, L., Baxter, P., & Newton, A. S. (2015). Usability evaluation with mental health professionals and young people to develop an Internet-based cognitive-behavior therapy program for adolescents with anxiety disorders. BMC Pediatrics, 15, 213.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
