A counsellor at a district hospital in Pune meets two new clients in one week. Ravi, 34, says that while riding his scooter one morning, his heart suddenly began to pound, he sweated heavily, could not catch his breath and felt sure he would die. Such spells have struck him without warning several times since, and he now dreads riding the scooter. Meena, 41, has had stomach aches and back pain for over a year. Tests at four clinics found nothing serious. She does not fear any hidden disease; what upsets her are the aches themselves, which she describes at length, and every few weeks she books yet another doctor's visit. Her housework and sleep have suffered.
Ravi's sudden spells are best explained by which of the following disorders?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Panic disorder
Option (1) Generalised anxiety disorder — Incorrect. Generalised anxiety disorder is prolonged, vague worry that is not tied to any particular object. Ravi has sudden, sharp attacks that come and go.
Option (2) Panic disorder — Correct. Panic disorder means repeated anxiety attacks of intense terror that strike without warning. Ravi's pounding heart, heavy sweating, breathlessness and fear of dying match these attacks, and they keep coming back.
Option (3) Social anxiety disorder — Incorrect. Social anxiety disorder is intense fear and embarrassment when dealing with other people. Ravi's attacks come while he rides alone, with no social situation behind them.
Option (4) Post-traumatic stress disorder — Incorrect. Post-traumatic stress disorder follows a shocking event, such as an accident or disaster. Ravi reports no such event; his attacks begin out of the blue.
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