A college student often experiences abrupt, brief episodes of overwhelming fear. They do not know what triggers them, but they have these attacks in the grocery store, in busy restaurants, and even while driving. During these episodes, their heart pounds and they have difficulty breathing. The student fears that they may have a heart attack. In the context of psychological disorders, this student most likely has

Question

Multiple Choice
catatonia.
somatoform disorder.
aerophobia.
panic disorder.

Answer 1

The symptoms described in the scenario are characteristic of panic disorder. The student experiences sudden episodes of overwhelming fear, physical symptoms such as a pounding heart and difficulty breathing, and these attacks occur in various situations without clear triggers. Therefore, the correct answer is:

panic disorder.