What is a key characteristic of panic disorder?

A key characteristic of panic disorder is the occurrence of recurrent unexpected panic attacks. These are sudden surges of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and can happen without an obvious trigger. Individuals with panic disorder often experience a range of physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and feelings of impending doom during these attacks.

This unexpected nature distinguishes panic disorder from other anxiety disorders, where fear responses are typically linked to specific stimuli or situations. For instance, chronic fear of social situations is more closely associated with social anxiety disorder, while a long-lasting depressive mood is indicative of depressive disorders, not panic disorder. Similarly, recurrent panic attacks related to specific stimuli would suggest a different classification, such as specific phobia or potentially agoraphobia, if those attacks are triggered by being in certain environments.

Thus, the defining feature of panic disorder is the unexpected and recurrent nature of these panic attacks, highlighting the element of unpredictability that contributes to the condition's distress and impairment in daily functioning.