APRN: Unraveling Anxiety and Depression
This activity is co-provided by American Nurses Association (provider) and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (co-provider).
Overview:
Approximately one-half of all Americans will meet the criteria for a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) disorder at some point in time in their lives. Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders -- diagnosed alone or with other psychiatric diagnoses. Approximately 1 in 4 individuals in the United States report a lifetime history of at least one anxiety disorder. The annual cost of anxiety disorders is estimated in billions of dollars; direct costs include missed days at work while indirect costs include the negative effects on a person's quality of life. In general, anxiety disorders occur more frequently in women than in men, are prevalent worldwide, and are not culture-bound.
Many patients with a depressive illness also have an anxiety disorder. Research suggests that the presence of anxiety disorders poses a significant risk for developing a major depressive disorder; therefore, early identification and treatment of anxiety may prevent subsequent development of depression with comorbid anxiety. In addition, recent guidelines recommend that clinicians be particularly attentive to patients at risk for depression, such as those with a chronic illness, a family or personal history of depression, or who have experienced recent losses. Patients are also at risk who have a sleep disorder, suffer chronic pain, demonstrate multiple unexplained somatic complaints, or have some current symptoms of depression.
Only one-third of Americans with mental illness receive proper treatment, and most receive their care in primary care settings. The consensus is that patients with anxiety and depressive disorders are underecognized, undertreated, and misdiagnosed. Cross-sectional or snapshot assessments common in primary care do not recognize the longitudinal nature of these disorders. In primary care, mixed anxiety and depression are rarely diagnosed due to fluctuating course and presentation of symptoms. Because of other comorbid illnesses, patients have other somatic symptoms contributing to the diagnostic dilemma.
Purpose/Goal: To provide APRN with current information about treating anxiety and depression disorders.
Objectives:
1. Identify risk factors and symptoms related to anxiety and depression disorders.
2. Describe screening and treatment for patients with anxiety and depression disorders.
3. Describe the pharmacotherapy used to treat anxiety and depression disorders.
Author:
Sarah Mynatt, EdD, APRN, BC, and Patricia Cunningham, DNSc, APRN, BC
The planners and author(s) of this continuing nursing education activity have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial companies pertaining to this activity.
Contact Hours: 2.5
Expiration Date: 12/31/2014
Pharmacology Hours: 1
Member Price: $40.00
Non-Member Price: $60.00