Principles of managing anxiety and associated disorders in palliative care
Management of anxiety and associated disorders in patients with palliative care needs should focus on improving quality of life and consider the potential benefits, burdens and availability of treatment, and the patient’s prognosis, ability to participate in management, preferences and goals of care—see Principles of symptom management in palliative care.
For the management of anxiety presenting as acute agitation, see Acute agitation in palliative care.
For patients with palliative care needs who have or develop anxiety, management involves addressing reversible causes and identifying triggers that can be treated with psychosocial interventions, as appropriate. If a patient has limited ability to engage in psychosocial interventions, pharmacological therapy may offer more benefit.
For patients with palliative care needs who are not in their last weeks of life, who have or develop an anxiety disorder (eg generalised anxiety disorder, panic attack, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, a specific phobia1, post-traumatic stress disorder), see the Psychotropic guidelines for management advice. Consider referral for specialist mental health assessment and advice on optimal management.
For management of anxiety and associated disorders in the last weeks of life, see Managing anxiety and associated disorders in the last weeks of life.