A participant is sweating, breathing rapidly, and refusing to comply during a session. What is the likely cause?

The symptoms described—sweating, rapid breathing, and refusal to comply—are indicative of anxiety. When individuals experience anxiety, their body may react with physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and rapid breathing. These reactions are part of the body's fight-or-flight response to perceived stress or danger.

In the context of a therapeutic riding session, if a participant is showing these signs, it is likely that they are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about the situation, possibly due to fear of the horse, unfamiliarity with the environment, or pressure to perform. Understanding this connection between physical symptoms and anxiety can help instructors respond appropriately. For instance, they might implement calming strategies or provide reassurance to help the participant manage their anxiety.

The other choices, while they have their own characteristics, do not directly align with the acute physical symptoms exhibited. ADHD primarily involves difficulties with attention and hyperactivity rather than immediate physical distress. Sensory processing disorder involves difficulties in processing sensory information but wouldn’t typically manifest with rapid breathing and sweating in response to a stressful event like a therapeutic riding session. Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings, which are not the primary symptoms in this scenario.