For panic disorder, which statement best describes diagnostic timing?

For panic disorder, which statement best describes diagnostic timing?

• A. One month of fear of having another attack, with attacks that often occur unexpectedly
• B. Ten years of fear of specific objects
• C. Fear limited to public speaking only
• D. No fear about future attacks

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks plus a period of anticipatory anxiety or behavioral change lasting at least one month after the attacks. The statement fits because it describes fear about having another attack for at least one month while noting that attacks themselves are often unexpected. That combination—recurrent unexpected attacks with sustained worry about future attacks for a month or more—matches the diagnostic timing. The other descriptions point to different conditions: fear of specific objects over a long period suggests a phobia; fear limited to public speaking suggests social anxiety or performance-only anxiety; and having no fear about future attacks would not reflect the anticipatory anxiety required by panic disorder.

The key idea is that panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks plus a period of anticipatory anxiety or behavioral change lasting at least one month after the attacks. The statement fits because it describes fear about having another attack for at least one month while noting that attacks themselves are often unexpected. That combination—recurrent unexpected attacks with sustained worry about future attacks for a month or more—matches the diagnostic timing.

The other descriptions point to different conditions: fear of specific objects over a long period suggests a phobia; fear limited to public speaking suggests social anxiety or performance-only anxiety; and having no fear about future attacks would not reflect the anticipatory anxiety required by panic disorder.