What are common features of panic disorder and initial emergency management strategies?

• A. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with intense fear; grounding, controlled breathing, and short-term anxiolytics if prescribed, plus long-term SSRI/SNRI
• B. Excessive worry about multiple domains
• C. Social avoidance and fear of crowds
• D. Chronic low mood and anhedonia

Answer: (A)

Panic disorder centers on recurrent unexpected panic attacks and the persistent worry or behavior change that comes with fearing another attack. In crisis management, the priority is to reduce arousal and help the person regain control: use grounding techniques to orient them to the present moment, teach or guide slow, controlled breathing to counter hyperventilation, and provide safety and reassurance. If a clinician has prescribed it, short-term anxiolytics may be used with caution to help bridge until longer-term strategies take effect. For ongoing treatment, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are considered first-line medications, often alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy to address the learned fear and avoidance that can accompany panic attacks.

The other patterns described reflect different disorders: excessive worry across multiple domains points to generalized anxiety disorder; social avoidance and fear of crowds align with social anxiety disorder; and chronic low mood with anhedonia fits major depressive disorder. These are distinct diagnoses from panic disorder, even though they can co-occur.