Asked by Brisa Escobar on Feb 29, 2024

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Mary went to the emergency room for the second time in a month complaining of difficulty in breathing and chest pain that had come on suddenly. She thought she was having a heart attack and was afraid she was dying, but the doctor could not find anything wrong. She may be suffering from:

A) panic disorder.
B) a somatoform disorder.
C) PTSD.
D) hypochondria.

Panic Disorder

A psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having more attacks.

Somatoform Disorder

A mental disorder characterized by physical symptoms that have no identifiable physical cause, often thought to be linked to psychological factors.

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape or who have been threatened with death, sexual violence, or serious injury.

  • Catalog the symptoms and features of specific anxiety disorders and their respective differentiation.
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Verified Answer

BE
Bryan Edwards

Feb 29, 2024

Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
Panic disorder is characterized by sudden, repeated episodes of intense fear or discomfort (panic attacks) accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, and fear of dying, which align with Mary's experiences. The absence of a physical cause for her symptoms during the emergency room visits further supports this diagnosis.