CLASS:
NURS-6501N: Advanced Pathophysiology
In this exercise, you will complete a Mind Map Template to gauge your understanding of this week’s content. Select one of the possible topics provided to complete your MindMap Template.
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Bipolar disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Delirium and dementia
- Obsessive compulsive disease
Solution
- Primary Diagnosis: ______Generalized Anxiety Disorder______________
- Describe the pathophysiology of the primary diagnosis in your own words. What are the patient’s risk factors for this diagnosis?
| Pathophysiology of Primary Diagnosis | |
| Abnormal levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA in the brain, disrupting the fear/anxiety response. In addition, there is the part of the brain that processes fear (amygdala) is overactive, causing perceived threats when none are present. The rational thinking area (prefrontal cortex) is underactive and unable to regulate emotions from the amygdala properly.
GAD tends to run in families, indicating a genetic component involving genes related to serotonin and GABA. Stressful life events can further alter brain chemistry/structures involved in fear processing, contributing to development and persistence of GAD symptoms(Showraki et al., 2020).
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| Causes | Risk Factors (genetic/ethnic/physical) |
…………………………….$10