Darcy is sitting at her desk in her office one day when, without warning, her heart begins racing rapidly, she has a sensation of being "out of her body," and she experiences dulled vision and hearing, rapid breathing, and sweating. She thinks she is having a heart attack. Nothing she is doing seems to have caused such an episode. Her symptoms MOST resemble ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darcy's symptoms are most similar to those of a panic attack, which can occur suddenly and without a clear trigger. The rapid heart rate, sensation of being outside of one's body, dulled senses, rapid breathing, and sweating are all common symptoms of a panic attack. Phobic disorders involve a specific, persistent fear of a particular object or situation, while post-traumatic stress disorder involves symptoms that arise after a traumatic event. Affective disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, do not typically involve such physical symptoms.

Darcy Is Sitting at Her Desk in Her Office One