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.
Riya breaks down. “I’d tell her to stop pretending she’s a machine.”
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. dr arora web series season 2
High-functioning anxiety and somatic symptom disorder — when emotional distress manifests as chronic physical pain with no medical cause.
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?” She learns to delegate, say “I need help,”
The Silent Switchboard (Ep. 3)
For the first time, she admits she’s exhausted, lonely, and terrified of failing. I love my job.”
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.”