By Erica Banasan
Introduction
Anxiety is defined as the fear of the unknown and a feeling of an impending doom. It is a warning sign for possible anxiety disorder if not treated and attended to. Studies show that during anxiety, norepinaphrine, a neurotransmitter that causes alertness and nervousness, is elevated which causes the gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), a calming neurotransmitter, to decrease.
Levels of Anxiety
Anxiety is ranked into four levels; mild, moderate, severe and panic. Mild level of anxiety is healthy. At this level, perceptual field is heightened, pupils dilate to accommodate as much, hearing and smell intensified, and sense of touch is highly sensitive. The individual is highly alert and attentive, and learning and cognition is in best state.
Moderate level of anxiety, on the other hand, is unhealthy. The perceptual field of a person at this level is narrowed. Individuals experiencing this level of anxiety have selective inattention. They have decreased focus and automatism can be observed as repetitive purposeless movements such a shaking of hands and feet, twirling of hair, and tapping of fingers.
Severe level of anxiety is characterized by reduced perceptual field and a difficulty in communication. Gross motor movements such as pacing are another characteristic sign of people at this stage. It is important that health care givers provide a safe and secured environment for the individual. Communication and sentences should be kept short and simple since communication is altered.
The worst and most severe level of anxiety is panic. Total disruption of perceptual field is present. It is also characterized by loss of ability to communicate, loss of rational thought and total loss of conscious thinking. Provision of save and secured environment is the priority care for individuals in such state.
Anxiolytics
Anxiolytics, also known as minor tranquilizers, are drugs to reduce anxiety by increasing GABA. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) and Librium, are the usual forms of anxiolytics. Buspar may also be prescribed. Anxiolytics are given cautiously for it may develop dependence.
Since anxiolytics are minor tranquilizers, they cause central nervous system depression. Sedation, blurred vision and decreased reflexes expose individuals taking anxiolytics to possible injury and accidents. This is the reason that these individuals should not drive, handle heavy machineries or travel alone. Safety is utmost priority.
Caffeine and alcohol are to be avoided while in anxiolytic therapy. Caffeine is a stimulant which antagonizes the action of anxiolytics. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant which may cause dependence and addiction. In cases that dependency develop, gradually decrease doses of anxiolytics and do not stop abruptly to lessen, if not prevent, symptoms of withdrawal.
