What characterizes panic disorder?

Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes. During these attacks, individuals may experience a range of physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, or feelings of impending doom. The unpredictable nature of these attacks can lead to significant anxiety about when the next attack might occur, often resulting in changes in behavior to avoid situations where attacks could happen.

In contrast, the other choices do not relate to panic disorder. Consistent happiness with no mood swings describes a stable emotional state, which is not associated with the distress of panic disorder. A fear of social situations relates more closely to social anxiety disorder, where the focus is on the fear of being judged in social contexts. Obsessive thoughts about physical appearance pertain to conditions like body dysmorphic disorder and do not reflect the core features of panic disorder. Thus, the hallmark of panic disorder is indeed the recurrent and unpredictable nature of panic attacks.