Guide
Guide | Reference

30  Predominant Threat Prototypes

30.1 Summary

  • Prototypes dominated by threat perception, fear responses, and avoidance or safety behaviors.

30.2 Included Prototypes (Guide exemplars)

  • Panic Pattern Prototype (exemplar).
  • Generalized Worry Pattern Prototype (exemplar).
  • Full catalog appears in the Clean Reference.

30.3 How to Use This Cluster

  • Start from the Atlas entry for anxiety/threat to confirm phenomenology.
  • Rate the Anxiety and Threat Sensitivity domain.
  • Apply a prototype label only when it adds communication value.

30.4 Boundary Markers

  • What it is: threat-dominant patterns that organize behavior and function.
  • What it is not: trauma-driven hypervigilance or obsession-driven fear without threat focus.

30.5 Common Overlap

  • Sleep and arousal dysregulation.
  • Somatic distress and interoceptive sensitivity.

30.6 Panic Pattern Prototype (Exemplar)

30.6.1 Summary

  • A pattern marked by sudden, intense surges of fear or discomfort with prominent bodily alarm and avoidance or anticipatory anxiety.

30.6.2 Prototype Features

  • Abrupt panic surges with physical symptoms.
  • Anticipatory worry about recurrence.
  • Avoidance of places or situations associated with panic.

30.6.3 Threshold Guidance

  • Use when panic surges are recurrent or drive significant avoidance or impairment.

30.6.4 Expected Domain Profile

  • Anxiety and Threat Sensitivity: moderate to high.
  • Arousal, Sleep, and Circadian Regulation: mild to moderate disruption.

30.6.5 Time-Course and Trajectory

  • Episodic surges with inter-episode vigilance.
  • May fluctuate with stress or stimulants.

30.6.6 Differential and Red Flags

  • Substance intoxication or withdrawal.
  • Medical contributors (cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine).
  • Trauma-related hyperarousal or flashback-driven surges.

30.6.7 Specifiers

Specifiers: course + contributors + risk, as relevant; see Reference for full.

30.7 Generalized Worry Pattern Prototype (Exemplar)

30.7.1 Summary

  • A pattern of persistent, diffuse worry across multiple domains with tension, restlessness, and difficulty controlling the worry.

30.7.2 Prototype Features

  • Excessive worry in multiple areas (health, work, family, finances).
  • Cognitive rumination and reassurance seeking.
  • Physical tension, fatigue, or sleep disruption.

30.7.3 Threshold Guidance

  • Use when worry is pervasive, difficult to control, and functionally impairing.

30.7.4 Expected Domain Profile

  • Anxiety and Threat Sensitivity: moderate to high.
  • Arousal, Sleep, and Circadian Regulation: mild to moderate disruption.

30.7.5 Time-Course and Trajectory

  • Chronic baseline elevation with stress-related spikes.
  • Fluctuates with life events and uncertainty.

30.7.6 Differential and Red Flags

  • Mood dysregulation with agitation.
  • Obsessional intrusive thoughts.
  • Substance effects or withdrawal.
  • Medical contributors (thyroid, cardiopulmonary).

30.7.7 Specifiers

Specifiers: course + contributors + risk, as relevant; see Reference for full.