Definition

Noun: A type of anxiety disorder marked by the occurrence of sudden, unexpected, and intense episodes of fear known as panic attacks. These attacks are typically severe but of relatively short duration.

Usage

The term "panic disorder" is used to diagnose and describe a specific, recurring mental health condition. It is a clinical term used in medical and psychological contexts. - She was diagnosed with panic disorder after experiencing several unexplained episodes of overwhelming fear. - Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for panic disorder.

Advanced Usage

• "to have panic disorder": to be diagnosed with or suffer from this condition.
  • He has been managing his panic disorder with therapy and medication.
• "suffer from panic disorder": a common phrasing to describe being affected by the condition.
  • Many people suffer from panic disorder without immediately recognizing the symptoms.

Variants and Related Words

• Panic attack (n): The acute, episodic symptom that characterizes panic disorder.
  • A panic attack can involve symptoms like a racing heart and shortness of breath.
• Agoraphobia (n): A fear of situations where escape might be difficult, which often develops in conjunction with panic disorder.
  • His panic disorder was complicated by the onset of agoraphobia.

Synonyms

• Anxiety disorder: The broader category of conditions to which panic disorder belongs.
• Panic syndrome: A less common, alternative clinical term.

Related Phrases

• "trigger a panic attack": to cause an episode to occur.
  • For some, crowded places can trigger a panic attack.
• "manage panic disorder": to use strategies to control the condition.
  • Learning breathing techniques helps her manage her panic disorder.

Noun

1. an anxiety disorder characterized by unpredictable panic attacks; the attacks are usually severe but brief