Final answer:
The anxiety disorder characterized by an array of physiological symptoms like shortness of breath and chest discomfort is Panic Disorder. It involves sudden episodes of intense discomfort or terror without any clear cause, distinguishing it from other anxiety disorders that have different, more predictable, or situational triggers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct answer to which anxiety disorder involves symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and numbness is B: Panic Disorder.
Panic disorder is characterized by the sudden onset of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying. People with panic disorder may have sudden and repeated panic attacks of overwhelming anxiety and fear. They often occur without warning, and their frequency and trigger can be unpredictable. This condition contrasts with the constant worry of generalized anxiety disorder, the social avoidance of social anxiety disorder, and the specific fear-related reactions to particular objects or situations seen in specific phobias. The physical symptoms of psychophysiological disorders like panic disorder are real and can be exacerbated by psychological factors.