Nursing management of anxiety and panic

Abstract

There are many aspects of everyday life that provoke anxiety. Visits to hospitals, emergency departments, or outpatient clinics are among the most anxiety producing. Anxiety exists on a continuum from normal, which alerts us that we need to pay attention to what is happening to us, to severely dysfunctional, as occurs with some of the anxiety disorders. Regardless of where patients fall on the continuum, nursing interventions can be very helpful. The etiology of anxiety disorders is multidimensional, including genetic vulnerability, neurophysiological dysregulations, stressful life events, and developmental antecedents. Because of the complex nature of anxiety, treatment is usually a combination of medications (benzodiazepines and antidepressants), education (particularly self-management techniques), sensory interventions, psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. The nurse's role in assessment, intervention, and referral is critical.