Dr. Arora (the affable, middle-aged sexologist and counselor) is approached by , a 28-year-old software team lead in Gurugram. Externally, Riya is a star performer — leads meetings, closes deals, mentors juniors. Internally, she’s been suffering from debilitating lower back pain and random episodes of “electric shocks” in her left arm for eight months.
High-functioning anxiety and somatic symptom disorder — when emotional distress manifests as chronic physical pain with no medical cause. dr arora web series season 2
For the first time, she admits she’s exhausted, lonely, and terrified of failing. Over 6 weeks, her pain frequency drops by 70%
Over 6 weeks, her pain frequency drops by 70%. She learns to delegate, say “I need help,” and cry without guilt. The final scene shows her laughing with colleagues — not pain-free, but free from the silence. One neurologist hinted
Riya initially resists. She calls Dr. Arora late one night after another “shock episode” during a code review. He doesn’t give medical advice — instead, he asks: “If your best friend had this pain, what would you tell her?”
Riya breaks down. “I’d tell her to stop pretending she’s a machine.”
She’s seen three orthopedists, a neurologist, and a physiotherapist. MRI, nerve conduction studies, blood work — all normal. One neurologist hinted, “Maybe it’s stress.” Riya was offended. “I’m not stressed. I love my job.”