Read the text and answer the following questions
A person Y constantly complains of experiencing sudden intense fears. He says that many a times, these fears get at such a peak that he feels like he is going crazy, has shortness of breath, feels losing control or dying. Other clinical features reported are dizziness, trembling, palpitation, chest pain, choking and nausea. He was assured that he would recover, but he was unable to accept it, which caused more trouble for him. His family and friends got very concerned as his overall functioning in all the spheres of his life are being severely affected. While taking case history of person Y, it was found that his younger brother has difficulty being in a room by himself, going to school alone and clings to and shadows his parent’s every move.
Which of the following is NOT an obvious symptom of panic disorder?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Anxiety about separation from attachment figure
Option (1) Choking — A symptom of panic disorder (Incorrect). It is one of the listed physical features of a panic attack, and Y reports it.
Option (2) Fear of going crazy — A symptom of panic disorder (Incorrect). At the peak of the attack the person fears going crazy, losing control or dying, as Y says he does.
Option (3) Anxiety about separation from attachment figure — Not a symptom of panic disorder (Correct). This is the mark of separation anxiety disorder, a different anxiety disorder, seen in Y’s younger brother, not in Y.
Option (4) Shortness of breath — A symptom of panic disorder (Incorrect). It is the first of the clinical features listed, and Y has it.
NCERT (2025-26): “Anxiety Disorders … Another type of anxiety disorder is panic disorder, which consists of recurrent anxiety attacks in which the person experiences intense terror. A panic attack denotes an abrupt surge of intense anxiety rising to a peak when thoughts of a particular stimuli are present. Such thoughts occur in an unpredictable manner. The clinical features include shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, palpitations, choking, nausea, chest pain or discomfort, fear of going crazy, losing control or dying.…” “…Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is another type of anxiety disorder. Individuals with separation anxiety disorder are fearful and anxious about separation from attachment figures to an extent that is developmentally not appropriate.…” |