Evidence-Based Alternative Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in Ambulatory Mental Health Patients

Evidence-Based Alternative Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in Ambulatory Mental Health Patients by Renee Denobrega MS, Widener University, 2013 BS, Alvernia University, 2007 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University January 2016 Abstract A noted problem in the treatment of anxiety disorders has been the addictive effects of psychotropic medications such as benzodiazepines. Due to the potential for substance abuse among those suffering with anxiety, there should be apprehension in prescribing addictive anti-anxiety medication as the first-line treatment without the inclusion of non-pharmacological interventions. The purpose of this project was to develop an alternative to addictive psychotropics. The population of interest included established adult psychiatric patients diagnosed with anxiety and receiving treatment with benzodiazepines in an ambulatory mental health setting. Goals for this project were to consider available scholarly evidence that would support alternative therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and intercessory prayer as non-pharmacological interventions. The quality improvement initiative included an analysis of scholarly evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy, spirituality, and prayer on individuals with anxiety and in substance abuse rehabilitation. The review included randomized control trials and descriptive cross-sectional studies on the therapeutic effects of cognitive behavioral therapy and intercessory prayer. The findings suggested that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating anxiety and that spirituality has been shown to have a positive impact on those recovering from substance abuse. A program that incorporated these alternative treatment modalities was developed to be implemented in an ambulatory mental health setting. Social change would result from a reduction in the use of addictive anti-anxiety medications and substance dependence in the treatment of anxiety and in the empowerment of the patient in treatment.A noted problem in the treatment of anxiety disorders has been the addictive effects of psychotropic medications such as benzodiazepines. Due to the potential for substance abuse among those suffering with anxiety, there should be apprehension in prescribing addictive anti-anxiety medication as the first-line treatment without the inclusion of non-pharmacological interventions. The purpose of this project was to develop an alternative to addictive psychotropics. The population of interest included established adult psychiatric patients diagnosed with anxiety and receiving treatment with benzodiazepines in an ambulatory mental health setting. Goals for this project were to consider available scholarly evidence that would support alternative therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and intercessory prayer as non-pharmacological interventions. The quality improvement initiative included an analysis of scholarly evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy, spirituality, and prayer on individuals with anxiety and in substance abuse rehabilitation. The review included randomized control trials and descriptive cross-sectional studies on the therapeutic effects of cognitive behavioral therapy and intercessory prayer. The findings suggested that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating anxiety and that spirituality has been shown to have a positive impact on those recovering from substance abuse. A program that incorporated these alternative treatment modalities was developed to be implemented in an ambulatory mental health setting. Social change would result from a reduction in the use of addictive anti-anxiety medications and substance dependence in the treatment of anxiety and in the empowerment of the patient in treatment. Evidence-Based Alternative Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in Ambulatory Mental Health Patients by Renee Denobrega MS, Widener University, 2013 BS, Alvernia University, 2007 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University January 2016