Pankaj was witness to a serious accident that happened on a highway. He began experiencing flashbacks of the incident that he was unable to stop. He felt restless even after 6 months of the incident. These symptoms are pointing towards _____ disorder.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Post traumatic stress Disorder
Option (1) Panic Attack — Incorrect. A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense anxiety that comes in an unpredictable manner, with shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling and palpitations. Pankaj’s trouble is tied to one past event that keeps coming back, not to sudden waves of terror.
Option (2) Post traumatic stress Disorder — Correct. People who have been in a serious accident, a natural disaster, a bomb blast or a war-related situation may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Its symptoms may include recurrent dreams, flashbacks, impaired concentration and emotional numbing. Pankaj witnessed a serious accident and still has flashbacks and restlessness months later.
Option (3) Phobias — Incorrect. Phobias are irrational fears related to specific objects, people or situations, such as a fear of lizards. Pankaj does not show a fear of a particular thing that he avoids.
Option (4) Obsessive compulsive Disorder — Incorrect. In OCD the person cannot control a preoccupation with specific ideas or cannot stop repeating a particular act, such as washing hands every time something is touched. Pankaj’s memories come from a traumatic event, and he shows no such ritual.
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.…” “Anxiety Disorders … Another type of anxiety disorder is panic disorder, which consists of recurrent anxiety attacks in which the person experiences intense terror.…” “…People who have phobias have irrational fears related to specific objects, people, or situations.…” “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders … People affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder are unable to control their preoccupation with specific ideas or are unable to prevent themselves from repeatedly carrying out a particular act or series of acts that affect their ability to carry out normal activities.…” |