Symptoms Of Panic Attacks In Children

There is usually little use in asking a child if he or she is suffering from a panic attack. The stresses on young children today are greater than ever and the incidence of panic attacks in children is growing every day. It is up to the parents and teachers to spot the occurrence of panic attacks in children so that timely treatment can be provided. This makes it difficult for them to cope and can lead to other psychological problems that feed of the panic attacks. Before going into the common symptoms of panic attacks in children it must be kept in mind that there are no set rules that define panic attacks and that what follows are only general guidelines. Once a condition is diagnosed, treatment should be started immediately.


Identifying the causes of panic attacks in children can be complex. Equally important, the child must be given all the support he or she needs while undergoing treatment. The shortness of breath and the feeling of being unable to breathe that is a common symptom of panic attacks in children is often mistaken for an asthma attack and so the right treatment is not given. These will obviously cause psychological damage and lead to panic attacks in children. Common amongst these are a child who is afraid to leave home. These attacks need not be only in the class room. Look out for signs that they feel they are being subject to perceived external forces. There are many other symptoms and they vary from child to child. Moving to a new neighborhood or city can cause depression or uncertainty. In case of any doubts, consult a specialist without delay.


In case the panic attack children are too affected by the trauma of the panic attacks to respond to the treatment by rationalizing their fears, then medication is a useful alternative. If you notice a child getting tense at a particular time of day, it could be a symptom of a panic attack. This could result in the creation of an environment where the child is faced with stresses which find an outlet in copying the behavior of others who have panic attacks. Treating panic attacks in children by medication has been proven to be very effective with no chance of any drug dependency or addiction developing if the treatment is carried out properly. When stressed the body releases a variety of chemicals to deal with the situation. Whatever course of treatment is decided upon, the child will need the full support and understanding of the family to make it a success.