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General
Nursing©
ANXIETY
Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a brain disorder that manifests itself
in many different ways, involving long-term (chronic) changes in perception,
behavior, and body function. These often result in symptoms of increased
alertness (hyper-arousal) and anxiety. People with GAD worry constantly
over relatively minor matters, which causes life-disrupting effects.
GAD occurs
in at least two to three percent of the population. Women are twice
as likely to be affected as men. Most individuals with GAD report being
anxious all their lives. Therefore, determining the age of onset is
usually not possible. GAD is often associated with depression.
Nursing
cares to patient with Anxiety:
- Help
the patient establish a bedtime routine (e.g., reading a book, drinking
a glass of warm milk).
- Encourage
only as much activity and stimulation during the day as the person
can tolerate without becoming excessively fatigued.
- Allow
for rest periods or naps throughout the day.
- Relieved
physical discomfort and emotional distress, which inhibit proper rest.
- Judiciously
administer sleep medications as prescribed to help the person sleep
better.
- To mitigate
anxiety and distress, listen to the person and encourage expression
of feelings about the accident, surgery or injury. Answer questions
honestly; avoid being overly pessimistic but avoid giving false hopes
too. Keep the person informed about the progress of healing. Teach
people to report signs and symptoms of complications. To increase
independence, encourage and teach the person to participate in nursing
cares, when possible.
- Recognize,
too, that health care providers are not immune from strong reactions
and feelings when confronted with people who have suffered massive
injuries. Clinicians find it particularly difficult when the injury
has just occurred and produces significant disfigurement.
- Finally,
pay attention to the physiologic and psychologic needs of the whole
person. Carry out a systematic plan of action to ensure that you meet
all of the injured person’s immediate needs. Try to accept the
person’s negative emotions, and also understand and accept your
own.
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