By Dr. Stephen Antony, MD (Psychiatry)
Panic attacks in children are often missed or overlooked because most children lack the skills to understand panic attacks or they may feel fearful about communicating their panic attack experiences.
It is estimated that 12% (about 1 in 8) of all 9th-graders have experienced at least one panic attack. These children are at an increased risk of developing panic attacks when they become adults, roughly about 20% of these children grow up to develop some form anxiety attacks.
There are many reasons for children developing panic attacks.
Causes of Panic attacks in children:
Other stress factors:
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The symptoms of panic attacks in children are similar to those in adults, the symptoms include:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Rapid and racing heartbeat
- Feelings of nervousness
- Trembling/ feeling extremely nervous
- Heart palpitation,
- Terror that is almost paralyzing
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling of nausea
- Choking sensation
- Chest pain/ distress
- Hot flashes or sudden chills
- Tingling in fingers or toes
- Fear, fright, or anxiety
- Fear that you may die
Children suffering from anxiety disorders tend to manifest certain personality characteristics, you can watch out for these characteristics and see if your child exhibits any of them:
- Unreasonably anger, sadness, or physical outbursts which may even include violence
- Excessive sleep or decreased sleep
- Many mood swings,
- Decreased appetite
- Avoidance of school
Treatment:
If you suspect that your child is suffering from panic or anxiety disorders, the first thing to do would be to get them to talk to an experienced child psychologist. Often panic and anxiety may be caused by unresolved conflicts.
Psychotherapy can teach the child effective coping and relaxation skills. Cognitive behavior therapy is known to be effective in treating panic disorders, it helps the child identify negative and harmful patterns of thinking and replaces them with helpful patterns of thinking.
Some children may need medication to help them overcome panic attacks, in such a case a consultation with a child psychiatrist is necessary, but it is important to remember that the child needs some form of professional help.
If you or someone your loved one is suffering from anxiety and wants to take control of the anxiety without medications, then take a minute and check this out. It will show the way: