Could someone please help me with answering this discussion answer from a classmate Evaluate one of the differential diagnoses (e.g., agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder) and discuss, in your own words, how that diagnosis differs from social anxiety disorder.

According to APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5 (2015), the basic aspects of a generalized anxiety disorder are persistent and excessive worry about various situations and domains that include work and school performances that the individual finds difficult and anxious to control. Some of the physical symptoms that the individual experiences are feelings of restlessness or being on edge, easily fatigued, having difficulty concentrating or mind going blank, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance (Beidel & Frueh, 2018). Overall, it is typically defined as repetitive thinking about potential future threats, imagined catastrophes, uncertainties, and risks (APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5, 2015; Beidel & Frueh, 2018).

Social anxiety disorder (SAD)involves basic aspects of intense fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed in social situations where the worry and anxiety about social evaluation may lead to significant distress or impairment (APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5, 2015; Beidel & Frueh, 2018). Social anxiety disorder (SAD) physical symptoms are marked withpersistent fear of social interactions of having a conversation or meeting unfamiliar people, being observed while eating or drinking, or performing in front of people when giving a speech or recital causing humiliation or embarrassment, such as saying something stupid or not knowing what to say, behaving inappropriately, or appearing overly anxious (APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5, 2015; Beidel & Frueh, 2018). A SAD diagnosis requires that these feared situations can be either avoided or endured under severe andsignificant distress (APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5, 2015; Beidel & Frueh, 2018).

Which of these differences do you find most helpful in understanding how these two disorders are separated diagnostically? Explain your position.

According to Glasofer (2020), somesimilaritiesbetween GAD and SAD are:

• Both are characterized by persistent anxiety that is disproportionate to an actual threat.
• Both can cause physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, nausea, or difficulty breathing.
• Both can interfere with daily functioning and quality of life.

According to Glasofer (2020), somedifferencesbetween GAD and SAD are:

• GAD is more generalized and pervasive, while SAD is more specific and situational.
• GAD often involves worrying about things that are unlikely or uncontrollable, while SAD often involves worrying about things that are realistic or controllable.
• GAD can occur at any time, while SAD is triggered by social or performance situations.

The visible difference between GAD and SAD is that GAD is more generalized whereas SAD is more specific to evaluations (APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5, 2015; Beidel & Frueh, 2018; Glasofer, 2020). Social worries are not uncommon in individualswith GAD but, the GAD focus tends to be about ongoing relationships rather than on fear of evaluation (APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5, 2015; Beidel & Frueh, 2018; Glasofer, 2020). People with SAD tend to worry about meeting new people, being observed, and performing in front of others where their thought content typically centers on negative evaluation and possibly rejection (APA: Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5, 2015; Beidel & Frueh, 2018; Glasofer, 2020).

References

American, Psychiatric Association.Anxiety Disorders: DSM-5 Selections, American Psychiatric Publishing, 2015.ProQuest eBook Central,https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apollolib/detail.action?docID=5108620.

Beidel, D. C., & Frueh, C. (2018). Adult Psychopathology and Diagnosis (8th ed.). Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781119384175/epub/OPS/copyright.html

Glasofer, D. R.(November 16, 2020).The Difference Between GAD and Social Anxiety Disorder.Verywell Mind.https://www.verywellmind.com/difference-between-gad-and-social-anxiety-disorder-1393009