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Fostering a person’s sense of self, hope, dignity, and spiritual well-being may help.
Sensitively asking ‘Is there anything else troubling you?’ or ‘Is there anything you would like to talk about?’ can help a person talk about things that worry them.
Psychotherapies are recommended for anxiety and depression, and use may significantly reduce symptoms.
Relaxation, touch and massage therapies may be helpful for reducing anxiety.
In people with serious illness or approaching the end of life, look for signs of anxiety such as:
- restlessness
- muscle tension
- irritability.
Assessment with a validated tool should include recording of outcomes in care notes. If appropriate, referral to a doctor, specialist, or allied health should be considered.