Question

Meera has an intense irrational fear of spiders and experiences sudden episodes of intense terror with breathlessness and dizziness. Identify the two types of anxiety disorders she might be suffering from and suggest one coping strategy for each.

Answer 1

Meera seems to be experiencing two different anxiety disorders:

1. First, her strong and unreasonable fear of spiders indicates a specific phobia. This disorder involves an intense, persistent fear of a particular object or situation that usually does not pose a real danger. In Meera’s case, even seeing or thinking about a spider causes extreme fear and distress that is far greater than the actual risk involved.
2. Second, her sudden episodes of extreme fear, along with physical symptoms such as breathlessness and dizziness, suggest panic disorder. This condition is marked by repeated panic attacks, which are sudden bursts of intense fear that reach their peak within a short time. These attacks are often accompanied by physical reactions such as a rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, and dizziness, and they can occur without warning.

To help Meera manage these disorders, two coping strategies can be suggested:

1. For her specific phobia, systematic desensitisation can be effective. This method involves gradually exposing her to spiders in a safe, controlled way while teaching relaxation techniques, which gradually reduce her fear.
2. For panic disorder, breathing retraining can help. Learning slow, deep breathing allows her to control hyperventilation, calm her body, and reduce the intensity of panic attacks.