Difference between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder

Running head: NURSING MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING MENTAL HEALTH
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NURSING MENTAL HEALTH1
Answer number 1:
This response will highlight the difference among the generalised anxiety disorder
and panic disorder. Panic disorder is included under the category of anxiety disorder,
whereas, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is categorized by excessive and persistent
worry regarding numerous issues and might also anticipate disaster. The individuals suffering
from generalized anxiety disorder worry or concern regarding various things namely family,
work, money or any other associated issues (Anxiety and Depression Association of America,
2019).
Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the long-term anxiety illness that primarily
occurs due to mood or anxiety disorder sad majorly affect the daily activity of their life. The
most common symptoms of GAD includes lack of handling uncertainty, overthinking,
difficulty in concentrating, lack of ability to relax, feeling restless and threatened and
persistent anxiety and loss of self-control. There are various physical symptoms of GAD
namely sweating, fatigue, irritability, nervousness, trouble sleeping, muscle aches, nausea,
and trembling. The primary cause of generalize anxiety disorder arises due to various
complex reaction among the environmental and biological factors, which includes personality
and development, genetics, difference in the brain function and chemistry (Ruscio &
Khazanov, 2017). On the other hand, panic disorders leads to panic attack in the individual
that are due to impulsive feeling of shock in the absence of any actual danger. The primary
cause of panic attack can be due to different physical reason or medication situation that
includes divorce, severe stress, loss of job and loss of loved ones. The symptoms of panic
disorders and generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) are common although the health condition
is completely different. Generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) are not included under the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5), whereas, panic disorders
are included and identified under the DSM–5. The Panic disorders are more intense and

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severe and has more pertaining physical symptom that can be very harmful for the individual.
Therefore, it is evident that anxiety disorders can lead to severe panic disorders and will
further result in poor quality of life and mental health. The condition of GAD is not
hereditary whereas panic disorder sometimes runs within the family and genetics, affecting
the biological processes (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019).
Hence, it can be concluded that generalized anxiety disorder is less severe and intense
as compared to the panic disorder. Panic disorder is included under the anxiety disorder and
share the common symptoms but are also different in terms of their severity.
Answer number 2:
This response will highlight the role of empathy in developing a therapeutic
relationship between the graduate nurse and the patient in the given scenario. Therapeutic
relationship is considered as the crucial step for building healthy rapport with the patient and
assisting them to freely share their apprehension with the nurse. Empathy is thus considered
as the fundamental step towards developing a therapeutic relationship with the patients and
achieving high patient health outcome (Hojat, 2016).
In the provided scenario, the patient was suffering from anxiety disorder and was
worrying about the future issues that might never exist. Due to his bad health condition and
mental state, his health complications were increasing and it was very essential for the nurse
to build an effective therapeutic relationship with the patient. Therapeutic relationship is also
termed as the therapeutic alliance which denotes to the association among the patient and the
healthcare professionals and help the healthcare professional to effectively engage with the
patient and understand their concern, which will further help them in treating the patient
(Pazargadi et al., 2015). In this case study, peter was suffering from emotional distress and
was not at all well, hence, in order to effectively treat Peter, it is very important for the nurse