What condition is characterized by repeated panic attacks and a fear of future attacks?

The condition characterized by repeated panic attacks coupled with a significant fear of experiencing future attacks is known as panic disorder. Individuals with this disorder often experience intense episodes of fear or discomfort, which manifest as physical and emotional symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and feelings of impending doom. This recurrent anxiety about the possibility of having another attack can significantly impact their daily lives, leading to avoidance behaviors that may confine them to specific places or situations.

In contrast, generalized anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, not confined to isolated panic episodes. Posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with the aftermath of trauma and encompasses symptoms like flashbacks and hyperarousal, but it is not defined by panic attacks. Specific phobia refers to an irrational fear of a particular object or situation, which may lead to avoidance, but does not encompass the broad pattern of panic attacks or the associated ongoing fear witnessed in panic disorder.