Panic attacks and generalized anxiety states.

Anxiety is the second most common psychiatric condition that a nurse practitioner is likely to see clinically. It is first necessary to determine whether the anxiety is primary or secondary. Primary anxiety conditions include: acute and chronic anxiety reactions, panic attacks, simple or multiple phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Secondary anxiety is seen in relationship to depression, schizophrenia, physical illness, organic mental disorders and substance abuse. This article focuses on the evaluation of panic attacks and generalized anxiety states.