Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow :-
Major Chandra, an infantry soldier, was posted in the border area with his unit. One day, an informer gave a message that terrorists have entered in a school and are threatening to blow it, if some of their terrorist prisoners are not released. The major entered the school premises along with other soldiers, but was shocked to see the terrorists armed with the latest weapons. Soon the firing started, as the terrorists had an advantageous position so they immediately shot down a few soldiers without caring for their life. Major Chandra entered the school and started firing which led to killing of the terrorists and he got badly injured. Though the Major has recovered, still he gets flashback and recurring nightmares.
Identify the disorder, Major Chandra is suffering from:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Option (1) Conversion Disorder — Incorrect. In conversion disorder the person reports the loss of part or all of some basic body function, such as paralysis, blindness or deafness. Major Chandra has recovered from his injuries and reports no such loss.
Option (2) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder — Correct. People who have been victims of bomb blasts by terrorists, or been in a serious accident or a war-related situation, often experience PTSD, whose symptoms may include recurrent dreams, flashbacks, impaired concentration and emotional numbing. Major Chandra went through a deadly gunfight with terrorists and still gets flashbacks and recurring nightmares.
Option (3) Illness-Anxiety Disorder — Incorrect. This is a persistent preoccupation with developing a serious illness and constant worry about one’s health. Major Chandra is not worried about falling ill.
Option (4) Generalised Anxiety Disorder — Incorrect. It consists of prolonged, vague, unexplained and intense fears that have no object, with hypervigilance and motor tension. Major Chandra’s distress is tied to one definite event, which he keeps reliving.
NCERT (2025-26): “Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders … Very often people who have been caught in a natural disaster (such as tsunami) or have been victims of bomb blasts by terrorists, or been in a serious accident or in a war-related situation, experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms vary widely but may include recurrent dreams, flashbacks, impaired concentration, and emotional numbing. Adjustment Disorders and Acute Stress Disorder are also included under this category.…” |