A 22-year-old female first-year college student reports waking in the middle of the night
with a pounding heart, hot flashes, a smothering sensation, and intense nausea. The attack
came suddenly and unexpectedly, it was not in reaction to a nightmare, and the symptoms
subsided within a few minutes. Over the last few months, she is feeling more anxious and
has experienced similar episodes each week at varying levels of intensity. She is worried that
she might be on the verge of a "nervous breakdown" and admits to being overly aware of
her "fast breathing and heart rate." Which of the following would be the most likely
diagnosis?
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder