Panic attack is defined as an episode of intense fear or discomfort with how many of the following symptoms?

Panic attack is defined as an episode of intense fear or discomfort with how many of the following symptoms?

• A. Dizzy, trembling, choking, paresthesias, sweating, SOB, chest pain, chills, fear of losing control, fear of dying, palpitations, nausea, depersonalization
• B. A persistent worry about multiple domains for at least 6 months
• C. Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with concern about the next attack
• D. A fear of social situations causing avoidance

Answer: (A)

A panic attack is defined by an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort with multiple accompanying symptoms, and the diagnostic requirement is at least four of a specific list of symptoms that can occur during the episode. The set provided includes dizziness, trembling, choking, paresthesias, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, chills, fear of losing control, fear of dying, palpitations, nausea, and depersonalization. That collection clearly meets and exceeds the minimum of four symptoms, so it matches the panic attack criterion. The other options describe different conditions: persistent worry across multiple domains for at least six months points to generalized anxiety disorder; recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with concern about the next attack align with panic disorder but emphasize the pattern rather than the number of symptoms in a single episode; fear of social situations with avoidance is social anxiety disorder.

A panic attack is defined by an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort with multiple accompanying symptoms, and the diagnostic requirement is at least four of a specific list of symptoms that can occur during the episode. The set provided includes dizziness, trembling, choking, paresthesias, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, chills, fear of losing control, fear of dying, palpitations, nausea, and depersonalization. That collection clearly meets and exceeds the minimum of four symptoms, so it matches the panic attack criterion.

The other options describe different conditions: persistent worry across multiple domains for at least six months points to generalized anxiety disorder; recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with concern about the next attack align with panic disorder but emphasize the pattern rather than the number of symptoms in a single episode; fear of social situations with avoidance is social anxiety disorder.