A 32-year-old woman reports sudden, unexpected episodes of intense anxiety, accompanied by headaches, a rapid pulse, nausea, and shortness of breath. During the episodes she fears that she is dying, and she has presented several times to emergency departments. Each time she has been told that she is medically healthy; she is usually reassured for a time, but on the occurrence of a new episode she again becomes concerned that she has some severe medical problem. She was given lorazepam once but disliked the sedating effect and has not taken it again. She abstains from all medications and alcohol in an attempt to minimize potential causes for her attacks. What is the most likely explanation for her symptoms?
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