Understanding the presentation and treatment of anxiety disorders
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Understanding the presentation and treatment of anxiety disorders

Tim Carter Assistant professor in mental health, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England

Why you should read this article:
  • To familiarise yourself with the characteristics of various common anxiety disorders

  • To be aware of the psychological and pharmacological treatments available for anxiety disorders

  • To consider your role in supporting people affected by anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health issues worldwide and can have significant detrimental effects on people’s quality of life and daily functioning. Nurses in a range of healthcare settings are likely to encounter people with various anxiety disorders, so it is essential that they have adequate knowledge and understanding of these conditions. This article explores the development of anxiety, before outlining the aetiologies and symptoms of common anxiety disorders. The author also provides an overview of some of the treatments available for anxiety disorders and explains the nurse’s role in supporting those affected by these conditions.

Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12166

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

@DrTimCarter1

Correspondence

timothy.carter@nottingham.ac.uk

Conflict of interest

None declared

Carter T (2023) Understanding the presentation and treatment of anxiety disorders. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12166

Published online: 25 May 2023

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