Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety can protect a person from a real threat. It becomes a clinical concern when fear, worry or avoidance persists, causes substantial distress, or interferes with sleep, relationships, school, work or daily activities. The RN connects the person's account with physical findings, function and safety rather than assuming that visible distress is either harmless or diagnostic of an anxiety disorder. This lesson follows three bedside decisions: identify a medical or immediate safety threat, help the person regain enough control to participate in assessment, and support an individualized treatment plan. Recognizing the difference between generalized worry, panic and phobic avoidance guides assessment; medication effects, withdrawal and suicide risk can change the priority at any point. Assessment, nursing judgment, teaching and reassessment remain the RN's responsibility.