In which of the following there are recurrent anxiety attacks, in which the person experiences extreme fear?

Appeared in: UP CHO - 10 September 2021

Explanation

Panic disorder is defined by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with intense fear.
Attacks peak within minutes and include physical and cognitive symptoms.
Not triggered by specific situations; can occur spontaneously.
Requires persistent concern or behavioral change after attacks.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: Anxiety disorder is a broad category and does not specifically refer to recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
Option C: Social phobia involves fear of social situations, not recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.
Option D: Generalised anxiety disorder is characterized by chronic, excessive worry, not discrete panic attacks.

Related Visual

Comparison of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social phobia, showing which have recurrent panic attacks and the nature of anxiety in each.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Recognition of panic disorder based on recurrent anxiety attacks with extreme fear as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must recognize panic disorder to provide acute support and prevent unnecessary medical interventions.
Early identification helps reduce patient distress and guides appropriate psychiatric referral.
What if? If attacks only occur in social situations, social phobia would be the diagnosis instead of panic disorder.

How to Approach the Question

Focus on the key symptom: recurrent anxiety attacks with extreme fear.
Recall the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder.
Eliminate options that describe chronic worry or situation-specific anxiety.
Select the disorder that matches the pattern of sudden, intense, and recurrent attacks.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Recognition of panic disorder based on recurrent anxiety attacks with extreme fear
Stem keywords: recurrent anxiety attacks, extreme fear
Lead-in keywords: In which of the following
Clinical cues: recurrent attacks
Clinical cues: extreme fear

Question ID

QRHtPb5GAlB100e6_4rtXk

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 3867-3869, 5721-5723

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 1286-1288

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