What is the minimum number of panic attacks required for a diagnosis of panic disorder?

For a diagnosis of panic disorder, the minimum requirement is experiencing at least two panic attacks. Panic attacks are characterized by sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort, accompanied by a range of physical and cognitive symptoms, such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or feelings of impending doom.

The rationale behind needing two attacks is that this threshold helps differentiate panic disorder from isolated panic attacks, which can occur in various contexts without indicating panic disorder. A single panic attack may occur in response to a specific situation or stressor and does not meet the criteria for a persistent pattern of anxiety typically seen in panic disorder. The diagnosis reflects a more chronic and recurrent pattern, making two or more attacks essential for establishing the disorder.

Options that suggest a higher number of panic attacks (like four or six) are excessive for the initial diagnosis, as the essential feature of panic disorder involves the recurrent nature of the panic attacks rather than a multitude of them. Thus, two attacks are sufficient to indicate the presence of panic disorder and warrant further evaluation and treatment.