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Concept MapNLE · Psychiatric Disorders

NLE Psychiatric Disorders — Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Trauma-Related DisordersConcept Map

A visual overview of Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Trauma-Related Disorders (NLE Psychiatric Disorders) — useful before you start the chapter and again when you revise it.

Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Trauma-Related Disorders - Concept Map

Anxiety Spectrum Disorders and Related Conditions

Related concepts

Understanding Anxiety

Sub concepts

  • Anxiety vs. Fear distinction
  • Anxiety continuum (mild, moderate, severe, panic)
  • Defense mechanisms
  • Perceptual field narrowing
  • Physiological and psychological responses

Relationship to central

Foundation for all anxiety-spectrum disorders; defines anxiety levels and mechanisms

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Sub concepts

  • Diagnostic criteria (6+ months excessive worry)
  • Associated symptoms (restlessness, fatigue, concentration difficulty)
  • Nursing assessment and management
  • Relaxation techniques and CBT
  • Environmental modifications

Relationship to central

Primary anxiety disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry

Panic Disorder

Sub concepts

  • Panic attack presentation and duration
  • Physical symptoms mimicking cardiac events
  • Agoraphobia as complication
  • Emergency nursing interventions
  • Crisis management strategies

Relationship to central

Severe anxiety manifestation with sudden, intense panic attacks

Phobic Disorders

Sub concepts

  • Specific phobia
  • Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
  • Agoraphobia
  • Systematic desensitization treatment
  • Exposure hierarchy and flooding

Relationship to central

Persistent, irrational fears leading to avoidance behaviors

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Sub concepts

  • Obsessions definition and characteristics
  • Compulsions and rituals
  • Common presentations (contamination, checking, doubt)
  • Key nursing principle: allow ritual time initially
  • Gradual response prevention and exposure therapy
  • Time-limiting rituals appropriately

Relationship to central

Disorder combining intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Sub concepts

  • Trauma exposure criteria
  • Intrusion symptoms (flashbacks, nightmares)
  • Avoidance behaviors
  • Negative mood and cognition alterations
  • Hyperarousal manifestations
  • Differentiation from Acute Stress Disorder
  • Philippine context and RA 11036

Relationship to central

Severe stress reaction following trauma exposure lasting >1 month

Acute Stress Disorder

Sub concepts

  • Similar symptom clusters to PTSD
  • Timeframe distinction
  • Progression to PTSD if symptoms persist
  • Early intervention importance

Relationship to central

Trauma response occurring within 3 days to 1 month; precursor to PTSD

Dissociative Disorders

Sub concepts

  • Dissociative amnesia
  • Dissociative fugue
  • Dissociative identity disorder
  • Depersonalization/derealization disorder
  • Safety as primary nursing concern
  • Trust-building strategies

Relationship to central

Disruption of consciousness, memory, identity in response to overwhelming trauma

Pharmacological Interventions

Sub concepts

  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Buspirone
  • Adverse effects and monitoring
  • Drug interactions and contraindications
  • Patient teaching and adherence

Relationship to central

Medication management supporting therapy for anxiety and trauma disorders

SSRIs: First-Line Pharmacotherapy

Sub concepts

  • Examples: fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine
  • 2-4 week therapeutic onset
  • Common early side effects (nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction)
  • Discontinuation syndrome prevention
  • Serotonin syndrome risk
  • Suicidal ideation monitoring in young adults
  • MAOI washout periods

Relationship to central

Gold standard medication for most anxiety, OCD, PTSD disorders

Benzodiazepines: Short-Term Anxiety Relief

Sub concepts

  • Examples: lorazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam
  • Rapid onset and CNS depression
  • Fall and safety risks
  • Dependence, tolerance, withdrawal potential
  • Tapered discontinuation mandatory
  • Withdrawal seizure risk
  • Flumazenil as reversal agent
  • Alcohol and CNS depressant interactions

Relationship to central

Rapid-acting agents for acute anxiety and panic; dependence risk with prolonged use

Nursing Management Principles

Sub concepts

  • Therapeutic nurse-patient relationship
  • Anxiety level assessment and response adaptation
  • Environmental modifications
  • Safety prioritization
  • Trust and acceptance communication
  • Grounding and relaxation techniques
  • Psychoeducation and coping skills
  • Suicide and self-harm risk assessment

Relationship to central

Core interventions applied across all anxiety and trauma disorders

Philippine Legal and Ethical Framework

Sub concepts

  • Republic Act 11036 (Mental Health Act)
  • Client rights to humane, non-discriminatory care
  • Community-based mental health services
  • Informed consent requirements
  • RA 9173 (Philippine Nursing Act)
  • Disaster and trauma response obligations

Relationship to central

Regulatory and rights-based context for nursing practice in mental health

Concept connections

  • Anxiety ContinuumNursing InterventionsSeverity level determines what nursing actions are appropriate; teaching is contraindicated in severe anxiety/panic
  • Generalized Anxiety DisorderSSRI PharmacotherapySSRIs are first-line medication treatment for GAD, providing sustained anxiety reduction
  • Panic DisorderPanic Attack InterventionsSpecific nursing protocols apply during acute panic episodes: stay present, slow breathing, reduce stimulation
  • Panic Attack InterventionsBenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines provide rapid relief during acute panic but are only for short-term use
  • Phobic DisordersSystematic DesensitizationPrimary behavioral treatment: gradual exposure to feared stimulus paired with relaxation techniques
  • Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderRitual ManagementCore nursing principle: do NOT abruptly interrupt rituals; allow time and gradually set limits as client improves
  • OCD RitualsResponse PreventionBehavioral therapy technique: gradually prevent client from performing compulsions while managing resulting anxiety
  • Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderTrust and SafetyFoundation of PTSD nursing care; client must feel safe before processing trauma or learning coping skills
  • PTSD HyperarousalGrounding TechniquesNursing intervention for flashbacks and dissociative episodes; helps client stay present and oriented
  • PTSDSuicide Risk AssessmentDepression, hopelessness, and substance use frequently accompany PTSD; suicide risk screening is mandatory
  • Acute Stress DisorderPTSDASD occurs within 1 month of trauma; if symptoms persist beyond 1 month, diagnosis becomes PTSD
  • Dissociative DisordersTrauma ResponseDissociation is an unconscious ego defense mechanism against overwhelming trauma and anxiety
  • Dissociative DisordersSafety PriorityClients with dissociative disorders have high risk for self-harm; safety assessment is first nursing action
  • SSRIs2-4 Week OnsetSSRIs require 2-4 weeks for therapeutic effect; early side effects may occur before benefit is felt
  • SSRIsSerotonin SyndromeSerious drug interaction risk when combined with MAOIs, triptans, tramadol, or St. John's Wort
  • BenzodiazepinesDependence RiskBenzodiazepines carry high risk of tolerance, physical dependence, and withdrawal seizures with regular use
  • BenzodiazepinesCNS DepressionAdditive effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants can cause respiratory depression and death
  • Benzodiazepine DiscontinuationTapered WithdrawalMust taper gradually to prevent rebound anxiety, tremors, and potentially fatal withdrawal seizures
  • Defense MechanismsAnxiety ManagementUnconscious mechanisms (repression, denial, displacement) help manage anxiety but become maladaptive when overused
  • Perceptual Field NarrowingClient TeachingAs anxiety increases, perceptual field narrows; teaching effectiveness decreases and must be deferred
  • Philippine Mental Health ActNursing Care ApproachRA 11036 mandates humane, non-discriminatory, community-based mental health care and informed consent
  • OCDSSRI PharmacotherapySSRIs (especially fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine) are first-line medication for OCD in addition to behavioral therapy
  • PTSDTrauma-Focused CBTCognitive-behavioral therapy is evidence-based treatment; helps process trauma memories and modify unhelpful thoughts
  • PTSDEye Movement DesensitizationAlternative evidence-based therapy for PTSD; uses bilateral eye movements during trauma processing
  • Early Side Effects SSRIsSexual DysfunctionSexual side effects are common with SSRIs and a major reason for medication nonadherence; must be discussed openly
  • Young Adults SSRIsSuicidal IdeationIncreased suicide risk in adolescents and young adults during first weeks of SSRI use as energy improves before mood
  • Relaxation TechniquesAnxiety ReductionDeep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery are core nursing interventions for all anxiety disorders
  • Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyAnxiety DisordersCBT is gold standard psychotherapy for anxiety, panic, phobias, and OCD; addresses thoughts and behaviors

Diagrams

Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Trauma-Related Disorders: Complete Concept Hierarchy

Comprehensive mind map showing the hierarchical relationships between all major concepts in anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders. This map organizes content from foundational understanding of anxiety through specific disorder types, pharmacotherapy, nursing management, and the Philippine legal framework governing mental health practice.

Anxiety Level Assessment and Nursing Response Decision Tree

Decision tree for assessing client anxiety levels and adapting nursing interventions accordingly. This flowchart emphasizes the critical principle that teaching and information processing must be matched to the client's anxiety level, with panic requiring immediate safety and stabilization measures before any educational content.

Panic Attack: Immediate Nursing Interventions Protocol

Step-by-step protocol for nursing response during an acute panic attack. Emphasizes the cardinal principles of remaining present, using calm communication, implementing breathing control, and deferring any teaching or problem-solving until after the panic episode resolves. This is a high-yield NLE concept.

OCD Nursing Management: Ritual and Exposure Progression

Comprehensive flowchart showing the nursing management approach to OCD, emphasizing the critical principle that rituals must NOT be abruptly interrupted early in treatment. The diagram shows the progression from assessment and ritual allowance through gradual limit-setting and exposure therapy. This incorporates response prevention and cognitive-behavioral techniques central to OCD treatment.

PTSD vs. Acute Stress Disorder: Differentiation and Nursing Response

Differentiation flowchart between Acute Stress Disorder (early trauma response, within 1 month) and PTSD (chronic response, after 1 month). Shows the common symptom clusters across both conditions and nursing management priorities emphasizing trust-building, safety, and comprehensive assessment for comorbidities including suicide risk. Incorporates Philippine disaster mental health context under RA 11036.

SSRI Pharmacotherapy: Initiation, Monitoring, and Patient Teaching

Comprehensive flowchart for SSRI initiation and management, highlighting the critical teaching point that SSRIs take 2-4 weeks for therapeutic effect, requiring patient adherence and expectation management. Shows early side effects (especially sexual dysfunction), the need for suicide risk monitoring in young adults, serotonin syndrome risks with combination drugs, and the mandatory tapered discontinuation to prevent discontinuation syndrome. Emphasizes key safety points for NLE examination.

Benzodiazepine Use: Short-Term Relief with Dependence Management

Detailed flowchart showing benzodiazepine use, emphasizing rapid onset for acute anxiety/panic but highlighting critical risks: dependence and tolerance with regular use, CNS depression, fall risk (especially elderly), and potentially fatal respiratory depression with alcohol/other CNS depressants. Stresses mandatory tapered discontinuation and lists flumazenil as reversal agent. Compares with buspiron as non-dependent alternative for chronic anxiety.

Dissociative Response Progression: From Trauma to Dissociative Symptoms

State diagram showing the progression from trauma exposure through dissociative responses to nursing intervention and recovery. Illustrates how dissociation functions as an ego defense mechanism against overwhelming anxiety and trauma. Shows the major dissociative disorder types and emphasizes the nursing priority of safety first, followed by trust-building, nonjudgmental acceptance, and client-paced processing without forcing trauma recall. Reflects Philippine Mental Health Act emphasis on humane, trauma-informed care.

Distribution of NLE High-Yield Concepts in Anxiety and Trauma Disorders

Pie chart showing the approximate distribution of high-yield NLE testing areas within anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders. The largest focus areas are SSRI pharmacotherapy and anxiety level assessment, followed by panic disorder interventions and benzodiazepine safety. This visual helps students prioritize study effort on the most frequently tested concepts.

Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Trauma-Related Disorders is chapter 1 of 7 in the Psychiatric Disorders part of Super Tutor's NLE review. The Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE) is given by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — Board of Nursing; its dates, format and passing rules are on the NLE page. See the NLE guide.

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