Reference
Guide | Reference

55  Panic Pattern Prototype

55.1 Summary

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

55.2 Prototype Features

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

55.3 Threshold Guidance

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

55.4 Expected Domain Profile

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

55.5 Time-Course and Trajectory

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

55.6 Differential and Red Flags

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

55.7 Specifiers (treatment-relevant, non-prescriptive)

  • Course/time pattern (episodic, trigger-linked).
  • Contributors (caffeine, sleep loss).
  • Risk modifiers (acute distress or avoidance severity).

55.8 Measurement Prompts

  • Panic frequency log.
  • Brief anxiety measure.

55.10 Documentation Snippet (1-2 lines)

  • “Recurrent panic surges with anticipatory avoidance; Threat 3, Arousal 2; episodic course.”