What is a key characteristic of Panic Disorder?

A key characteristic of Panic Disorder is the occurrence of recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and are accompanied by a range of physical and cognitive symptoms. Individuals often experience symptoms like heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or feelings of impending doom during these episodes.

The defining feature of Panic Disorder is the unpredictability and intensity of these attacks, which leads to significant anxiety about having future attacks. This fear of additional attacks can dramatically affect a person's willingness to engage in certain activities or places, potentially leading to agoraphobia in some cases.

In contrast, the other options reflect different disorders: persistent fear of social situations relates to Social Anxiety Disorder; excessive anxiety about separation from attachment figures pertains to Separation Anxiety Disorder; and inability to speak in specific situations is indicative of Selective Mutism. None of these directly relate to the core symptoms of Panic Disorder, which emphasizes the nature of panic attacks.