Which of the following describes a panic attack?

A panic attack is characterized by a sudden onset of acute anxiety that can manifest with a variety of intense physical symptoms. These symptoms often include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and feelings of impending doom, which can lead to a sense of overwhelming fear and discomfort. This can occur without warning and may not be related to any specific trigger, distinguishing it from other types of anxiety responses.

In contrast, predictable anxiety triggered by specific situations indicates a more generalized anxiety response rather than the acute and intense nature of a panic attack. Chronic feelings of sadness and hopelessness are indicative of depression, not a panic attack. Lastly, constant worry about everyday events aligns more closely with generalized anxiety disorder, where anxiety is more pervasive and ongoing, rather than the episodic and severe nature of panic attacks.