Panic symptom profiles in social anxiety disorder: A person-centered data-analytic approach

Panic attacks (PAs) are prevalent among individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD), but the clinical utility of panic symptom profiles is unclear. The aims of the present investigation were to empirically define panic symptom profiles in a treatment-seeking sample of individuals with SAD (N = 280) and to assess the associations of observed panic symptom profiles with clinical features of SAD. Results of a latent class analysis revealed four distinct panic symptom profiles: low panic symptoms, high typical SAD-related panic, high cardiac sensations and paresthesias, and moderate panic. Comparisons of external validators across latent classes indicated that the classes were differentially associated with clinical features of SAD. The present findings suggest that individuals with SAD experience distinct patterns of panic symptoms that may be clinically useful in conducting diagnostic assessments and determining treatment targets.