Mental Health in Nursing: Anxiety Disorders, Empathy, Communication and Medication Use

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH IN NURSING 1
MENTAL HEALTH IN NURSING
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MENTAL HEALTH IN NURSING 2
MENTAL HEALTH
Question 1
Anxiety disorders are a prevalent type of mental disorders affecting a large global
population. Generally, the term refers to a collection of mental illnesses affecting the ability of
individuals to carry on with their normal daily activities (Storrie, Ahern & Tuckett, 2010).
Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common types of anxiety disorders.
General anxiety disorder is a mental disorder that causes persistent worrying about the unknown
among individuals. In other words, people affected by this disorder worry nonstop about
common day to day situations and experiences. Many a time, such individuals find themselves
worried yet they cannot explain what is troubling them. On the same note, they may find
themselves endlessly worrying about issues such as school, work, family, money or health
(Zhang, Norton, Carrière, Ritchie, Chaudieu & Ancelin, 2015). This constant worrying may
negatively affect relationships, social activities, school performance or productivity at work.
Scholars have not yet found the exact cause of anxiety disorder; however, available evidence has
linked it with stressful life experiences, family background or biological factors. Some of the
notable symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include difficulty concentrating, irritability,
Insomnia, headache and tiredness (Halldorsson, Draisey, Cooper & Creswell, 2018).
On the other hand, generalized anxiety disorder differs from Panic disorder in multiple
ways. Although the two-conditions have been found to share some common characteristics such
as worrying excessively the two are quite different. Unlike generalized anxiety disorder which
may be characterized by persistent fear or general life issues, panic disorders occur in the form of
a panic attack that may last for a few minutes before subsiding (Elguendy,2019). Additionally,
panic attacks may be categorized as expected or unexpected. Unexpected panic attacks, in this

MENTAL HEALTH IN NURSING 3
case, are those that arise with no particular cause. On the other hand, expected panic attacks are
signaled by external factors. Another notable difference is the fact that panic attacks may arise
from the blues and subside a few moments later while general anxiety develops gradually and
may last for a more extended period.
Similarly, general anxiety disorder makes individuals worry about and anticipate possible
adverse outcomes in the future, causing uneasiness in an individual. On the other hand, panic
disorder occurs abruptly leading to the onset of intense fear (Elguendy, 2019).
In conclusion, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are examples of mental
problems associated with feelings of fear and uncertainties. Some of the notable differences
among the two is the fact that panic disorder may arise abruptly while generalized anxiety
disorder develops gradually (Elguendy, 2019).
Question Two
Empathy is an essential aspect in the nursing profession.one of the most notable impact
of empathy in the nursing practice is that it enables nurses to adequately care for patients. It
refers to the process of identifying and appreciating the perspectives associated with other
people. It also entails focussing on others as opposed to self. By utilizing empathy principles, a
nurse puts himself or herself in the shoes of the patient (Kornhaber, Walsh, Duff & Walker,
2016). Additionally, it also enables them to empower their patients to better their health and
overall wellbeing.
Therapeutic interpersonal relationships between patients and clinicians are an essential
aspect of healthcare. One of the main advantages of these relationships is the fact that they lead
to positive experiences for both patients and clinicians. Through empathy, I will be in a better
position to understand what the patient may be going through and strive to ensure that I make it