Panic Attacks in Children

Panic disorders are on the increase, and one age group which is seeing a particularly significant rise is the under 18s. They can be difficult to diagnose in children as a series of tests may be undertaken first to rule out other causes of the unpleasant symptoms associated with panic attacks. Once the disorder has been confirmed though, it is important to start treating it as quickly as possible as the anxiety caused by the anticipation of further attacks can lead to the child or teenager withdrawing from normal life, affecting school work and social development.

Panic attacks are a relatively short, discreet period of intense fear which typically include one or all of the following symptoms:

• palpitations or a racing heart beat

• shortness of breath

• dizziness

• nausea or diarrhoea

• Trembling

• Fear of dying or of losing your mind

While panic attacks can occur as a result of stressful situations they often happen out of the blue with no obvious trigger. The duration is normally between 10 minutes and an hour.

Generally, childhood panic disorders do not start until adolescence but they do start younger in some individuals. The main difference between panic attacks in children and adolescents and those in adults is that a child with a panic disorder is likely to have more frequent attacks. This is down to the cognitive element of panic attacks, and the fact children do not have the necessary emotional and mental development to establish a good coping strategy.

It is very common for a child suffering from panic attacks to develop an anxiety disorder. The fear of further attacks often leads to anxiety about leaving the house, as children feel safer with their parents or worry about the embarrassment of having an attack in school or a public place. In the worst case scenario this can develop into agoraphobia. There is also a risk of depression, sometimes leading adolescents to turn to alcohol or substance abuse in an attempt to lessen their anxiety and stress.

The first step in treating panic attacks in children is to discuss treatment options with your family doctor. All medication carries a risk of side effects and is therefore an undesirable treatment option in children, particularly if they are quite young, but low strength tranquillizers or anti-depressants may be prescribed in serious cases.

A doctor is much more likely to recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to treat a child with a panic disorder. CBT is effective as a treatment because it tackles the cause of the problem rather than just alleviating the symptoms. It helps identify their fears and emotions and how this effects how they interact with the world around them, then encourages the development of better coping strategies. When treating a child with CBT, family are involved as much as possible to make the child feel supported and more confident about tackling the disorder.

It can be distressing for a parent to see how panic attacks are affecting their son or daughter. Gathering as much information as possible about the disorder is of enormous benefit in giving the child the necessary support to overcome their anxiety and panic attacks. As well as your GP, information is available freely on the internet and there are many great books and e-courses available.