Comprehensive exams for Mental Health Q 157
David is diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia and is talking with the nurse in-charge about the progress made in treatment. Which of the following statements indicates a positive client response?
A. “I went to the mall with my friends last Saturday”
B. “I’m hyperventilating only when I have a panic attack”
C. “Today I decided that I can stop taking my medication”
D. “Last night I decided to eat more than a bowl of cereal”
Correct Answer: A. “I went to the mall with my friends last Saturday”
Clients with panic disorder tend to be socially withdrawn. Going to the mall is a sign of working on avoidance behaviors. Panic disorder and panic attacks are two of the most common problems seen in the world of psychiatry. Panic disorder is a separate entity than a panic disorder although it is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) as “an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort” reaching a peak within minutes.
Option B: Hyperventilating is a key symptom of panic disorder. Teaching breathing control is a major intervention for clients with panic disorder. Breathing training is a method of reducing panic symptomatology by utilizing capnometry biofeedback to decrease the number of episodes of hyperventilation. Several of these slow breathing techniques have been shown to benefit patients with asthma and hypertension. Hyperventilation reduction can help patients with cardiovascular disease.
Option C: The client taking medications for panic disorder; such as tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines, must be weaned off these drugs. Antidepressants and benzodiazepines are the mainstays of pharmacologic treatment. Among the different classes of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are recommended over monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants.
Option D: Most clients with panic disorder with agoraphobia don’t have nutritional problems. It is important for a provider to inform the patient about the symptoms that he may suffer from if he is diagnosed with the disorder. If a patient is not aware of these symptoms it is probable that he would fear his condition more and would tend to get frequent attacks. Pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy should be discussed with the patients so that they can understand the treatment options for the condition that they have.