Phillip December 10, 2025 No Comments

C180 Mental Health Packet: Therapeutic Communication & Disorders Overview

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Western Governors University

C180 Introduction to Psychology

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Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders represent a spectrum of psychological conditions marked by persistent and excessive fear, apprehension, or nervous tension. When these symptoms persist for six months or longer and interfere with social, occupational, or personal functioning, they are clinically diagnosed as anxiety disorders. Although mild anxiety is a normal response to everyday stressors, chronic anxiety often requires professional intervention through psychotherapy, pharmacological treatment, or a combination of both.

Individuals with anxiety disorders may experience both physical and psychological manifestations such as restlessness, tachycardia, muscle tension, sleep disruption, and difficulty maintaining concentration. Without appropriate treatment, these symptoms can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life.

What are common types of anxiety disorders?

Type	Description
Monophobia	A severe and irrational fear of being alone, which can result in panic attacks or intense distress when separated from others.
Zoophobia	A persistent and disproportionate fear of animals, which may be generalized or focused on specific species such as dogs or snakes.
Acrophobia	An intense fear of heights that can trigger dizziness, panic attacks, or avoidance of high places.
Separation Anxiety Disorder	Excessive anxiety or distress related to separation from loved ones or attachment figures, considered maladaptive when present in adulthood.

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRDs)

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders are psychological conditions defined by intrusive, repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions). These behaviors are performed in an effort to alleviate anxiety or prevent perceived harm, despite the individual recognizing their irrational nature. The resulting cycle of obsession and compulsion often disrupts daily activities and interpersonal relationships.

What are examples of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders?

Disorder	Description
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)	Characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety or prevent a feared outcome.
Hoarding Disorder	Persistent difficulty discarding possessions regardless of their value, often leading to cluttered and unsafe living conditions.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)	Excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance, often leading to emotional distress and impaired functioning.

Definitions

Obsession: Recurrent, intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images that generate anxiety or distress.
Compulsion: Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing perceived harm.

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (Somatoform Disorders)

Somatic symptom and related disorders occur when psychological conflict manifests as physical symptoms without a medically identifiable cause. These symptoms often result in significant emotional distress, frequent healthcare visits, and decreased functioning.

What types of somatoform disorders exist?

Disorder	Description
Somatic Symptom Disorder	Excessive preoccupation with physical symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and cause emotional distress.
Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)	Sudden onset of neurological symptoms (e.g., paralysis, seizures, or blindness) that lack a physiological explanation but are linked to psychological stress.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)	A trauma-related disorder marked by recurrent flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety following exposure to a traumatic event lasting more than one month.

What are common manifestations of somatic symptom disorders?

Disorder	Common Symptoms
Somatic Symptom Disorder	Persistent concern about health, frequent medical consultations, variable symptom intensity correlated with stress.
Conversion Disorder	Motor or sensory disturbances such as paralysis, non-epileptic seizures, speech loss, or blindness with no neurological basis.
PTSD	Hyperarousal, intrusive memories, nightmares, emotional detachment, and avoidance of trauma-related triggers.

How are somatic symptom disorders assessed and managed?

Assessment Tool: The Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) is commonly used to identify somatic symptoms and assess their severity.

Nursing Considerations:

Establish rapport and provide a secure, nonjudgmental environment.
Acknowledge the authenticity of the client’s experiences.
Encourage discussion of emotional distress while limiting reinforcement of physical symptoms.
Teach relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and stress management strategies.
Support participation in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or group therapy sessions.

Pharmacological Management:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and anxiolytics may be prescribed to alleviate associated anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurocognitive disorders are characterized by a measurable decline in cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and communication. These impairments may result from neurodegenerative processes, vascular damage, or other medical conditions and can be either reversible or irreversible depending on the underlying etiology.

What is delirium?

Delirium refers to an acute and fluctuating disturbance in attention, awareness, and cognition. It develops rapidly—over hours to days—and is typically secondary to an underlying medical condition such as infection, medication toxicity, or electrolyte imbalance.

Feature	Description
Onset	Rapid development within hours or days.
Causation	Often triggered by medical conditions, infections, postoperative complications, or withdrawal syndromes.
Symptoms	Confusion, impaired attention, memory disturbances, hallucinations, and worsened disorientation at night.
Treatment	Address the underlying cause, maintain hydration and nutrition, provide orientation cues, and ensure patient safety without physical restraints.

Prompt diagnosis and intervention can fully reverse delirium. Delayed treatment, however, increases the risk of long-term cognitive impairment or mortality.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting memory, language, and reasoning abilities. It is the most prevalent form of dementia, leading to gradual deterioration in cognitive and functional capacity.

What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease?

Category	Examples
Genetic	Family history, especially in first-degree relatives.
Neurological	Prior traumatic brain injuries or concussions.
Age	Incidence rises sharply after age 65.
Cardiovascular & Lifestyle	Sedentary behavior, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and poor dietary habits.

What are the stages of Alzheimer’s disease?

Stage	Description
Mild (Early Stage)	Subtle memory lapses, misplacing objects, mild concentration difficulties, but independence maintained.
Moderate (Middle Stage)	Increased confusion, behavioral changes, difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs), and wandering.
Severe (Late Stage)	Complete dependence on caregivers, loss of communication, immobility, and eventual complications such as aspiration or infection.

What nursing interventions support Alzheimer’s patients?

Establish a structured and calm environment to reduce agitation.
Use concise, one-step instructions and gentle communication.
Provide support to caregivers through education and respite resources.
Monitor hydration, nutrition, and sleep patterns.
Encourage reminiscence therapy and simple, purposeful activities.

What medications are commonly prescribed?

Generic Name	Trade Name	Use
Donepezil	Aricept	Used in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease to enhance cognitive function.
Galantamine	Razadyne	Indicated for mild to moderate dementia related to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Rivastigmine	Exelon	Prescribed for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s-related dementia; may improve memory and attention.

While these medications may slow symptom progression and improve quality of life, they do not cure the disease.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). APA Publishing.

Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Somatic symptom disorder and related conditions. https://my.clevelandclinic.org