A panic attack is a sudden feeling of terror. Usually it does not last long, but it may feel like forever. The cause can be something as normally uneventful as driving over a bridge or flying in an airplane. And it can happen even if the person has driven over many bridges or flown many times before. A fast heartbeat, sweaty hands, difficulty breathing, a lightheaded feeling. At first a person may have no idea what is wrong. But these can all be signs of what is known as panic disorder. The first appearance usually is between the ages of 18 and 25. In some cases it develops after a tragedy, like the death of a loved one, or some other difficult situation.
In the United States, the National Institute of Mental Health says more than two million people are affected in any one-year period. The American Psychological Association says panic disorder is two times more likely in women than men. And it can last anywhere from a few months to a lifetime.
Panic attacks can be dangerous—for example, if a person is driving at the time. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the state of Maryland is so long and so high over the water, it is famous for scaring motorists. There is even a driver assistance program to help people get across. Some people who suffer a panic attack develop a phobia, a deep fear of ever repeating the activity that brought on the attack.
But experts say panic disorder can be treated. Doctors might suggest anti-anxiety or an tidepressant medicines. Talking to a counselor could help a person learn to deal with or avoid a panic attack. There are breathing methods, for example, that might help a person calm down. Panic disorder is included among what mental health professionals call anxiety disorders. A study published last week reported a link between anxiety disorders and several physical diseases. It says these include thyroid disease, lung and stomach problems, arthritis, migraine headaches and allergic conditions. Researchers at the University of Manitoba in Canada say that in most cases the physical condition followed the anxiety disorder. But, they say, exactly how the two are connected remains unknown.
The report in the Archives of Internal Medicine came from a German health study of more than 4,000 adults.
单选题
All of the following may be symptoms of panic disorder EXCEPF ______.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题问的是哪一项不是恐慌症的症状。原文第一段的倒数第三至五句话说到,A fast heartbeat, sweaty hands, difficulty breathing, a lightheaded feeling. …But these can all be signs of what is known as panic disorder. 由此可知,恐慌症的症状包括:心跳加快,手心出汗,呼吸困难,头昏眼花。A、B、C三个选项均包括在内。只有D选项的“低血压”没有提到。因此,本题的正确答案为D。
单选题
How many Americans are likely to suffer panic disorder every year according to NIMH?
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题问的是据美国国立精神卫生研究所(NIMH)所说,每年有多少美国人患有恐慌症。原文第二段的第一句话明确说到,…the National Institute of Mental Health says more than two million people are affected in any one-year period. 由此可知,有200多万人。C选项的above与句中的more than同义。因此,本题的正确答案为C。
单选题
The probability for American females to be affected by panic disorder is ______ that for American males.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 本题问的是美国女性与男性受恐慌症影响的比例相比较的结果。原文第二段的第二句话明确说到,The American Psychological Association says panic disorder is two times more likely in women than men. 表明,女性患惊恐性障碍的可能性比男性高两倍。也就是“是男性的三倍”。B选项符合原文内容。此处涉及到英语倍数的表达和理解问题:如果形容词或副词用比较级,即使用more(than)…结构,就意为“比……多出(或高出)……倍”;如果是用同级比较“as…as”结构,则意为“是……的……倍”。因此,本题的正确答案为B。
单选题
Which of the following spots is most likely to cause drivers to suffer panic disorder according to the passage author?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 本题问的是作者认为可以引起司机恐慌的地点。原文第三段的第二句话明确说至,The Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the state of Maryland…is famous for scaring motorists. 马里兰州的切萨皮克湾大桥吓坏汽车司机是出了名的。可见,B选项符合原文内容。而其他选项均没有提到。因此,本题的正确答案为B。
单选题
According to a study, all of the following diseases may be associated with anxiety disorder EXCEPT ______.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 本题问的是研究表明哪一项疾病与焦虑没有关系。原文第四段的第六、七句话明确说到,A study published last week repotled a link between anxiety disorders and several physical diseases. It says these include thyroid disease, lung and stomach problems, arthritis, migraine headaches and allergic conditions. 由此可知,与焦虑症状有关的疾病包括:甲状腺疾病,肝病和胃病,关节炎,偏头痛和过敏体质。可见,B、C、D三个选项均包括在内。只有A选项的“癌症”没有提到。因此,本题的正确答案为A。