Which neurological condition is characterized by extreme anxiety and physical symptoms?

Panic disorder is characterized by episodes of intense fear or discomfort, known as panic attacks, which can occur unexpectedly or may be triggered by certain situations. During these attacks, individuals often experience physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and feelings of impending doom. The extreme anxiety associated with panic disorder can also lead to significant changes in behavior, such as avoiding situations where previous panic attacks occurred, ultimately impacting daily functioning.

In contrast, while depression involves anxiety, it primarily features persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest which may not include the acute physical symptoms seen in panic disorder. Schizophrenia, a serious mental disorder, manifests through symptoms like hallucinations and delusions and is not primarily defined by anxiety. Obsessive-compulsive disorder also includes anxiety but is primarily characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviors rather than intense episodes of physical symptoms like those seen in panic disorder.