Question

Jim is in a constant state of anxiety and has brief, sudden periods of panic. He also believes these periods of panic will occur when he is in a public location; therefore, Jim is afraid to leave his house. Jim's diagnosis is likely:

a) Agoraphobia
b) Social Anxiety Disorder
c) Panic Disorder
d) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer 1

Jim's symptoms suggest that he is likely suffering from agoraphobia, which is characterized by a persistent fear of having panic attacks in public places, causing him to avoid leaving his house.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jim is likely experiencing agoraphobia, a type of anxiety disorder. This diagnosis fits his symptoms, which include a constant state of anxiety paired with panic attacks and a fear of these attacks occurring in public places, leading to an avoidance of leaving the house. It is important to distinguish between anxiety disorders and normal feelings of anxiety; the former persists for months and can severely impact daily functioning.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Institute of America, anxiety disorders are common, with a significant portion of adults likely to be affected during their lifetime. Furthermore, panic disorder, which often accompanies agoraphobia, has been explored thoroughly in studies, such as those by Kessler et al. (2006) within the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. The fear that Jim has of panic attacks happening particularly in a public place is a hallmark feature of agoraphobia, thereby showing specific psychological manifestations relevant to this anxiety disorder.