Panic-driven

Panic-driven describes actions, decisions, or behaviors primarily motivated by fear and a sudden overwhelming sense of anxiety or dread. This impulse often leads to irrational choices, hasty reactions, and a disregard for long-term consequences. It typically involves a loss of control and a focus on immediate threats, potentially exaggerating risks and hindering logical thought. The actions are a direct result of a prevailing state of acute fear or anxiety that dictates behavior, overriding rational deliberation and sound judgment. This impulsive state can lead to destructive outcomes for the individual or community, such as social disruptions, stock market crashes, or the loss of life. The severity of the panic will dictate the intensity of the action taken. The core of this concept rests in the prioritizing of rapid responses over rational decision-making, where the feeling of fear is the dominant factor to the action or lack thereof.

Panic-driven meaning with examples

• The evacuation of the building was panic-driven, with people shoving and trampling others to escape the perceived danger of the fire alarm. No one seemed to be paying attention to the clearly marked exits or to staff. The overall chaos was a direct result of the unfounded fear that engulfed the floor.
• When the news broke about the impending economic crisis, the market reacted in a panic-driven sell-off. Investors, paralyzed by fear, shed stocks rapidly, causing share values to plummet without any real foundation and potentially deepening the damage overall.
• The government's immediate response to the cyber attack was considered panic-driven. They issued a nationwide alert and blocked all non-governmental networks without assessing the real threat and implementing a reasonable plan. This reaction created more chaos than solutions.
• After hearing the rumors, his decision to abruptly quit his job and leave town was undeniably panic-driven. His imagination had run wild, conjuring unrealistic and scary scenarios, and fear quickly eclipsed any rational consideration of the circumstances.