Question

After a year of diarrhea, a patient has a colonoscopy. as the health care provider explains the findings, the patient rapidly says, "you're talking too fast. i can't understand you. all i can hear is a buzz from the fluorescent lights." the patient is wet with perspiration. which level of anxiety is evident?

Answer 1

Symptoms of severe anxiety evident in this case include; confusion, sweating, withdrawal, rapid speech, and a perceptual field that is reduced greatly and distorted. The perceptual field is heightened in mild anxiety while in moderate anxiety, the ability to think clearly is hampered but learning and problem solving can still take place. Additionally in panic, communication is unintelligible or there is an inability to speak.