Psychological Disorders (Anxiety, Depression)

Psychological Disorders (Anxiety, Depression)

 

Definition/Etiology:

• Anxiety/Depression Definitions
  • Depression:
    • Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and/or loss of interest
  • Anxiety:
    • Feelings of intense, excessive, and persistent worry
• Will discuss causes in dialogue (physical, mental, relates to past experiences)

 

Pathophysiology:

• Signs/Symptoms
  • Depression
    • Sad 
    • Hopeless
    • Loss of interest
    • Changes to sleep (too much or too little)
    • Changes to appetite (too much or too little)
    • Anxiety/restlessness
    • Thoughts of death/suicide
  • Anxiety
    • Feeling nervous/panic
    • Increased heart rate
    • Weak/tired/not sleeping
    • Avoid things that trigger

 

Noticing: Assessment & Recognizing Cues:

• Nurse’s Role
• Stay calm
• Supportive 
• Decrease symptoms/triggers
• Suicide prevention

 

Interpreting: Analyzing & Planning:

• Safety measures: Prevent Injury
• Suicide prevention
  • Ask every patient
  • Identify those at risk
  • Implement safety measures

 

Responding: Patient Interventions & Taking Action:

• Medications & Considerations
• Depression
  • SSRIs
  • SNRIs
  • Atypical antidepressants
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • MAOIs
  • Mood stabilizers
  • Antipsychotics 
• Anxiety
  • Anti-anxiolytics
  • Antidepressants
  • Beta-blockers
• Considerations
  • General wellness
  • Pregnancy
  • Sleep needs
  • Avoid alcohol/drugs
  • Don’t stop antidepressants abruptly

 

Reflecting: Evaluating Patient Outcomes:

• N/A

 

Linchpins (Key Points):

• Highs and Lows can be separate or intermixed
  • Depression = s/s typically low
  • Anxiety= a/a typically high
  • Support & Safety= nurse’s role