Reference no: EM132649068

Treating Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety levels range dramatically from individual to individual and from situation to situation. To illustrate the spectrum of normal to psychopathological anxiety, consider the fear of dogs. Many people are reasonably cautious when encountering an unfamiliar dog, rationalizing that the animal has some potential to inflict injury and will therefore not approach an unattended dog. However, some people avoid even the possibility of encountering a dog by never leaving their homes. In addition, some people may turn to available substances, such as alcohol, to self-medicate to overcome their fear, creating the potential for developing a comorbid addictive disorder. In short, anxiety disorders present a complex range of challenges for the mental health professional and require a multifaceted approach in creating treatment strategies.

For this Discussion, view the media case study "Anxiety Disorder Case Study: Willy" and consider the general challenges in assessment, differential diagnosis, and use of psychopharmacological treatment for the symptoms demonstrated. Think about the uses and benefits of anxiolytic medications in the treatment of panic disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety.

Question 1: Post the challenges of treating the anxiety disorder of the client you selected.

Question 2: Then describe at least three potential anxiolytic medications that may be effective in treating this client and explain the potential addiction risk of each.

Question 3: Explain how this information might influence a mental health professional's approach to counseling this client.

Question 4: Finally, explain the role of the mental health professional in communicating concerns to other health care professionals.