Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

A characteristic of expected panic attacks is that they typically occur in familiar, stressful situations where the individual may anticipate experiencing anxiety or panic. This contrasts with a sudden onset without a trigger, which is more representative of unexpected panic attacks.

In an expected panic attack, individuals can often predict when they might feel anxious, aligning their physical symptoms—such as shortness of breath and palpitations—with known triggers. These physical responses, alongside feelings of losing control, are commonly observed during the buildup to an expected panic attack, making them distinctly characteristic of this type of panic experience. Understanding the context of these attacks allows for better therapeutic approaches and coping mechanisms, especially in developing interventions that address their occurrence in familiar settings.