Question

MBBS student she was choking with dyspnea, chest tightness, anxiety and an impending sense of doom on examination all systemic conditions were found normal, then she went to psychiatry. What is the probable diagnosis of the condition ?

• A. Panic disorder
• B. Depression
• C. Epilepsy
• D. Asthma

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The given scenario involves a medical student experiencing symptoms such as choking, dyspnea, chest tightness, anxiety, and an impending sense of doom. These symptoms led her to visit a psychiatrist after finding all systemic conditions normal. We must determine the probable psychiatric condition from the provided options.

Analyzing the symptoms:

• Choking, Dyspnea, Chest Tightness: These physical symptoms often manifest during acute anxiety episodes.
• Anxiety and Impending Sense of Doom: These are classic indicators of an intense fear or panic state.
• Normal Systemic Examination: This rules out physical conditions such as asthma, which would show respiratory anomalies during attacks.

Evaluating the options:

1. Panic Disorder: Characterized by sudden, recurrent panic attacks accompanied by intense fear, physical symptoms (such as increased heart rate, difficulty breathing), and feeling of losing control or pending doom. Fits the scenario perfectly.
2. Depression: Primarily involves persistent low mood, lack of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite, not typically presenting with acute physical symptoms like dyspnea.
3. Epilepsy: Involves seizures with symptoms like convulsions, which do not match the described symptoms.
4. Asthma: Leads to breathing difficulties, but would present with abnormal respiratory examinations, which were normal here.

Considering the symptoms and the normal systemic examination, the most probable diagnosis is Panic Disorder.