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.
A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes.
The experience includes debilitating physical symptoms (like palpitations, shortness of breath) and cognitive symptoms (like fear of dying or losing control).
A key diagnostic criterion is persistent worry about having more attacks or changing behavior to avoid them.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option B: This is a broad, general category of mental health conditions, not a specific diagnosis. Panic disorder, GAD, and phobias are all types of anxiety disorders.
Option C: In social phobia (or social anxiety disorder), the fear is specifically triggered by social or performance situations where the person fears scrutiny or embarrassment. The attacks are not typically unexpected or spontaneous.
Option D: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic, excessive, and uncontrollable worry about multiple events or activities. It does not typically involve discrete, recurrent panic attacks of extreme fear.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Differentiating between types of anxiety disorders, specifically identifying Panic Disorder as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing the signs of a panic attack is a critical nursing skill to provide immediate support and prevent escalation.
The priority nursing intervention during a panic attack is to stay with the patient to provide safety and reassurance.
It is crucial to rule out life-threatening medical conditions like a myocardial infarction, as the symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath) can overlap.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the key defining features. The keywords here are 'recurrent anxiety attacks' and 'extreme fear'.
Next, evaluate each option based on these keywords.
Option A, 'Panic disorder', is defined by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks characterized by intense fear.
Option B, 'Anxiety disorder', is a broad category and less specific than Panic disorder.
Option C, 'Social phobias', involves fear related to social situations, not spontaneous attacks.
Option D, 'Generalised anxiety disorder', involves chronic worry, not acute, intense attacks.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Differentiating between types of anxiety disorders, specifically identifying Panic Disorder.
Stem keywords: recurrent anxiety attacks, extreme fear
Lead-in keywords: In which of the following

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. 5721-5723, 3867-3869

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

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