Question

Riya, an 18-year-old student, suddenly experiences intense fear during her coaching classes. Her heart starts racing, she feels breathless, dizzy, and fears that she might die. These episodes occur unexpectedly and have made her avoid crowded places and public transport. After consulting a psychologist, she learns that she is suffering from Panic Disorder. Which of the following symptoms is most strongly associated with Panic Disorder?

• A. Hallucinations
• B. Sudden episodes of intense fear and physical discomfort
• C. Loss of memory
• D. Multiple personalities

Hint:

Panic attacks usually peak within a few minutes and may create a strong feeling that something terrible is about to happen, even when there is no real danger.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences repeated panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden period of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by physical and emotional symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, dizziness, breathlessness, chest pain, and fear of dying or losing control.

Step 1: Understanding the situation described in the question.
Riya suddenly experiences:

• Intense fear
• Racing heartbeat
• Breathlessness
• Dizziness
• Fear of death
• Avoidance of crowded places

All these symptoms are characteristic features of panic attacks.

Step 2: Relating the symptoms to Panic Disorder.
People suffering from Panic Disorder often experience sudden attacks without warning. During these attacks, the body shows strong physical reactions due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Common symptoms include:

• Palpitations or fast heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Difficulty in breathing
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Fear of dying
• Fear of losing control

Riya’s symptoms perfectly match these features.

Step 3: Analyzing each option carefully.
Option (A): Hallucinations
Hallucinations involve seeing or hearing things that are not present. These are mainly associated with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, not Panic Disorder. Option (B): Sudden episodes of intense fear and physical discomfort
This is the defining symptom of Panic Disorder because panic attacks involve sudden intense fear along with physical symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, sweating, and breathlessness. Option (C): Loss of memory
Memory loss is not a major symptom of Panic Disorder. It is more commonly associated with neurological disorders or dissociative disorders. Option (D): Multiple personalities
Multiple personalities are related to Dissociative Identity Disorder and not Panic Disorder.

Step 4: Final conclusion.
The symptom most strongly associated with Panic Disorder is: \[ \boxed{\text{Sudden episodes of intense fear and physical discomfort}} \]