Hi, Your post is really informative, Thank you for sharing such a great views on antianxiety medication. Antianxiety medications help to reduce the stress and apprehension associated many syndromes (Ciccone, 2016). Recently, Benzodiazepines use as prime treatment medication for anxiety disorders (Ciccone,2016). As, physical therapist we must consider adverse drug reaction/side effect while treating these category patients. The precaution required while patient feel dizziness, drowsiness, tried, unsteady gait-balance and altered status (Drugs.com, 2017). Patient taking diazepam have high risk of falling and related complication (Leach, Pratt and Roughead, 2017). Gray (2006) depicted that older adults Physcian change dose (lower) of medication
In over-all, 65 years and older suffer from many geriatric symptoms, due to psychotropic and anti-psychotropic medications, including Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), mobility challenges, incontinence, poor balance, disorganization and confusion which all lead to high falls. According to a study in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, patients with the highest risk for falls presented with one or more of the following variables such as Parkinson’s syndrome, Dementia, female gender, mood stabilizers, cardiac arrhythmia, and ECT. Edmonson et. al established, “The Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool (EPFRAT) specific to the psychiatric, geriatric population and found initial testing of EPFRAT to have higher sensitivity in assessing fall risk in the geri-psych inpatient population” (Edmonson, Robinson, & Hughes, 2011). This project purpose is to investigate and explore whether an Edmonson Fall risk assessment Toll decreases patient falls in inpatient geri-psych units. Stakeholders and Change
As people age, they face difficulties with seeing and also with mobility, declines in their physiological systems impact balance, range and speed. These physiological problems can result in falls, which tend to be really problematic for the elderly living alone at home. The Hendrich II Fall Risk Model (HFRM) was used on Mr. T.C to assess his fall risk; this tool is used in acute care facilities to estimate the risk for falls in adults (Hendrich, 2013). The client scored a 6, any score exceeding a 5 is considered a high risk for fall. Being a male is one of the predetermined risk points that make one susceptible of falling as well their symptomatic depression, both which the client falls under. The Get-Up-and-Go Test is also a predetermined risk factor of HFRM; it determines the client’s ability to rise from a seated position. It took the client 3 attempts to fully stand up from a seated position.
Sterke, C. S., Ziere, G., van Beeck, E. F., Looman, C. N., & Van Der Cammen, T. M. (2012). Dose-response relationship between selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and injurious falls: a study in nursing home residents with dementia. British journal of clinical pharmacology, 73(5), 812-820. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04124.x
It is important that key factors in determining who is and who is not a risk to fall are sought out by the health care team. In this paper we will focus on how to determine who is a fall risk.
Anti-anxiety drugs are another way of reducing stress levels. They counter hormones in the body that make you anxious. Barbiturates are another form of anti-anxiety drugs. They are depressants of the central nervous system and can be effective in reducing anxiety. However there are side effects with barbiturates these include lack of concentration or lack of coordination. Also anxious patients who stop taking barbiturates report numerous symptoms such as delirium, irritability and increased sweating.
Antidepressants are FDA approved drugs given to patients to alleviate symptoms, most commonly anxiety and depression. There are many people who are skeptical about the use of these drugs and if they really work as a benefit toward the people taking them. There are many pros to taking the medications, but there are also cons. This is why users of these drugs have to be aware of the side effects in order to get the full use of the medicine. Research shows that the benefits of antidepressants outweigh the negative long term effects, but only if they are taken in moderation.
Psychopharmaceutical medications is a form of drug treatment used in order to invoke a change on the mental state of the user. This form of treatment is widely used in the world of mental health in order to alleviate patients of the symptoms of the mental illness which they are suffering from. Individuals understand psychiatric medications as a form of help that they receive from their physician in order to “normalize” their lives. Often people suffering from mental illness find it hard to concentrate, keep stable relationships, maintain their personality, maintain their energy levels, etc. Psychiatric medication treatment can reduce such symptoms causing issues in their daily practices and increase a person’s ability to pursue their interests,
A fall is an “untoward event which results in the patient coming to rest unintentionally on the ground” (Morris & Isaacs, 1980). When it comes to patient safety in health care, there isn’t any subject that takes precedence. Patient falls are a major cause for concern in the health industry, particularly in an acute-care setting such as a hospital where a patient’s mental and physical well being may already be compromised. Not only do patient falls increase the length of hospital stays, but it has a major impact on the economics of health care with adjusted medical costs related to falls averaging in the range of 30 billion dollars per year (Center for Disease Control [CDC], 2013). Patient falls are a common phenomenon seen most often in the elderly population. One out of three adults, aged 65 or older, fall each year (CDC, 2013). Complications of falls are quite critical in nature and are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries including traumatic brain injuries and fractures. A huge solution to this problem focuses on prevention and education to those at risk. ...
Antidepressant are a form of pharmacotherapy treatment developed to treat the symptoms of major depression. Antidepressants are used for many other types of conditions including anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, dysthymia, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, and substance abuse, pain syndromes, gastrointestional disorders. Antidepressants usually require several weeks to notice significant effects. There are no antidepressants or any medication that is completely free of adverse effects. This article explains that the adverse effects of antidepressant can decrease compliance and slow down the rate of recovery. It is important for one to take note of potential side-effects before choosing the best antidepressant to suit their personalized needs. Statistics show that about 28 percent of patients sto...
According to Sharp (2012), “anxiety disorders are the most widespread causes of distress among individuals seeking treatment from mental health services in the United States” (p359).
What would be the criteria used to distinguish between clinically significant fear and anxiety, and everyday fear and anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of tension associated with a sense of threat of danger when the source of the danger is not known. In comparison, fear is a feeling of tension that is associated with a known source of danger. I believe it is normal for us to have some mild anxiety present in our daily lives. Everyday that I can think of I have some kind of anxiety though out that day. Anxiety warns us and enables us to get ready for the ‘fight or flight’ response. However, heightened anxiety is emotionally painful. It disrupts a person's daily functioning.
... use of cognitive-behavioural therapy. Unlike the CBT treatment, use of a SSRI are long term solutions to prevent the anxiety, but like CBT, cannot cure it. The SSRI take a few weeks before they start working fully. The primary function of SSRI’s is to increase the uptake of serotonin in the brain. Unfortunately, as with many drugs, there are side effects that come with the SSRI’s which ranges widely from agitation, nausea, stomach upsets and sweating. All patients using this treatment are required to go for regular check-ups with their doctors to see how the drug is affecting them in positive and negative ways. Other arguments opposing the use of drugs to treat social anxiety disorder is that the patient can become addicted and reliant on the medically prescribed drugs, in the same way that alcohol and drugs are used as a short term fix for the anxiety (NHS, 2013).
Drug use appears to negatively affect the health of the elderly at a higher rate than other populations (Benshoff & Koch, 2003). This may be a result of old age. So, it can be understood there is a biological effect of substance abuse among the elderly. The elderly are more susceptible to being admitted into the hospital for adverse effects of substances, while other populations of society are not. Benshoff and Koch asserts, “Intentional abuse of prescription medications to get high is thought to be rare, but over-use does occur among this population. Often this over...
The difference between normal worrying and generalized anxiety disorder are the accompanying symptoms as well as the length of time the worrying persists. To occasionally torment oneself with or suffer from distressing thoughts is classified as normal worrying. The symptoms of worrying may vary, but most people experience disturbed feelings and the mental fatigue of being overly concerned with a circumstance. On the other hand, with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) one experiences excessive anxiety under most circumstances, expecting the worst even when there is no obvious or visible reason for concern. The symptoms are being agitated, on edge, easily tired, having difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and issues with sleep. GAD usually develops during childhood or the adolescent years and the symptoms last as long as six months as opposed to normal worrying which dissipates in a much shorter length of time. (Word count: 141)