When people suffer with chronic anxiety but also experience brief moments of sudden, intense, unexpected episodes that involve a racing heart, dizziness, choking, trembling, and/or fears of losing control, then the person would most likely be diagnosed with a

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The sudden, intense, unexpected episodes with physical symptoms described are characteristic of a panic attack, which is the defining feature of panic disorder. Therefore, panic disorder would be the most likely diagnosis for the person described. Somatic symptom disorder involves excessive and/or persistent physical symptoms with disproportionate thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to those symptoms. Factitious disorder involves intentionally producing or feigning physical or psychological symptoms for no apparent external gain. Dysthymia is a type of persistent depressive disorder characterized by low mood and a lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities. None of these disorders would fully capture the symptoms described.

When People Suffer with Chronic Anxiety but Also Experience Brief