Determine the most likely causes of stress and relaxation techniques you could suggest to this patient. Explain why these techniques would help her in the moment. 

Stress case study | Nursing homework help

Title of Your Paper: Stress Management and Treatment of Panic Attack Symptoms: A Case Study

Your Name: ChatGPT

Stratford University

NSG 291

Snapshot of Patient History/Case Study: A 36-year-old woman, a marketing director, was referred to psychological services by her cardiologist for stress management and treatment of “heart attack” symptoms. She has been experiencing shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pains, dizziness, and tingling sensations in her fingers and toes for several months, with a sense of impending doom. She had rushed to the emergency room twice fearing she was having a heart attack. On both occasions, diagnostic tests showed no physical findings.

Plan:

Causes of Stress (Module 1): The most likely cause of stress for the patient is her high-pressure job, coupled with a recent argument with her boyfriend and boss. Relaxation techniques that could be suggested to her include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. These techniques would help the patient in the moment by promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety and physical symptoms of panic attacks.

Short-term Alternative Therapies (Module 2): Short-term alternative therapies that may be useful to promote for this patient include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, and hypnotherapy. CBT can help the patient identify and challenge negative thought patterns, whereas biofeedback and hypnotherapy can teach the patient to regulate their bodily functions and reactions to stressors. These therapies can also help the patient to develop better coping mechanisms.

Questions to Ask (Module 3): Questions to ask this patient to assess her current situation in a non-judgmental and therapeutic way include:

• What triggers your panic attacks?
• How do you feel when you experience symptoms of panic attacks?
• What coping mechanisms have you used in the past to deal with stress?
• Are there any other medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms?

There are no safety issues or irrational thought processes evident from the case study. However, the patient may exhibit perfectionistic tendencies that could contribute to her stress levels.

Long Term Plan (Module 4): Coping interventions that could be suggested for this patient based on the assessment include stress management techniques, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and improved sleep hygiene. CBT and psychotherapy can be used to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to the patient’s stress levels. Also, the patient may benefit from exploring work-life balance and learning how to set boundaries.

Support Networks (Module 5): The support networks that could be suggested to this patient include joining a support group for people with anxiety and panic disorder or engaging in social activities that promote relaxation, such as yoga or art therapy.

Conclusion: To determine the effectiveness of interventions, the patient would need to be followed up to assess any reduction in stress levels and symptoms of panic attacks. A reduction in symptoms, improved quality of life, and an increased ability to cope with stressors would be expected.

References: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/index.shtml