A university student was attending a horror movie when he started to experience anxiety symptoms (rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shallow breathing).He was so upset that he went to a psychologist who told him that he probably had had a panic attack.In the following weeks, he became apprehensive about sitting in lecture halls, crowded rooms, and even classrooms.To be diagnosed with panic disorder, what also would have to happen?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order to be diagnosed with panic disorder, the individual must have recurrent unexpected panic attacks, and also experience persistent concern or worry about having another attack, or significant maladaptive behavioral changes related to the attacks (such as avoiding certain situations in order to prevent an attack). Option A, severe depression, is not a necessary symptom of panic disorder, though depression and anxiety commonly co-occur. Option C, repressing anxious feelings, would not be helpful in treating panic disorder and is not a symptom of the disorder itself. Option D, achieving a high score on the anxiety sensitivity index, may be an indicator of vulnerability to anxiety disorders, but is not a diagnostic criterion for panic disorder.

A University Student Was Attending a Horror Movie When He