Final answer:
A nurse should reassure a client with panic disorder that it is a treatable condition with various effective treatments available. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, medication, and relaxation techniques represent proven strategies. Discussing the positive outcomes of tailored treatment plans can instill hope and convey that long-term recovery is possible.
Step-by-step explanation:
When addressing a client with panic disorder who expresses fear of unending suffering, it's important for a nurse to provide reassuring information backed by therapeutic techniques and evidence. You might inform the client that panic disorder is a treatable condition and that many effective strategies exist, including cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, and relaxation techniques. Recent studies and theories suggest that tailored treatment plans offer significant hope for reduction in symptoms, improvement in quality of life, and long-term recovery.
For instance, according to Clark (1996), cognitive-behavioral approaches have shown substantial success in treating panic disorder. Furthermore, the understanding of panic and other anxiety disorders has evolved over time, pointing towards a better prognosis with appropriate treatment (Root, 2000).
Reassurance can also be built upon research indicating that while generalized anxiety disorder may affect health outcomes such as cardiovascular events (Martens et al., 2010), targeted treatment and management of anxiety can potentially mitigate such risks. It is essential to empathize with the client's feelings while instilling hope through discussions of these treatments, showing that while the experience of panic disorder is indeed challenging, there is a path forward.