Panic Attacks In Children - Ways To Treat Panic Attacks In Children

Panic Attacks In Children - Best Ways For Parents to Treat Panic Attacks In Children : 

Panic Attacks In Children - Best Ways For Parents to Treat Panic Attacks In Children

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Panic attacks in children often go unnoticed, or are simply dismissed as normal behavior. Unfortunately, and as much as any parent would like to believe it isn't the case, children do suffer from panic attacks and anxiety just as adults do. When it comes to their children, most parents would stop at nothing to help them ease their suffering and solve their problems. However, when it comes to Child Anxiety Disorder, many parents simply don't know that the illness exists.

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This article will help you, the parent, identify the symptoms of panic attacks in children and attempt to give you several plans of actions that you can provide immediately to relieve them. A panic attack by nature is a period of intense fear that results in mild to severe discomfort. Some of the physical symptoms of panic attacks include, but are not limited to: racing or pounding heartbeat, chest pains, upset stomach, hot flashes or chills, trembling and shaking, and difficulty breathing. Often times, your child will appear to be frozen with fear, or may just stare intensely with a fixed gaze. A panic attack will not always manifest itself physically, and that's what can make it hard to pinpoint.

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Panic attacks in children typically last for more than 10 minutes, and can be one of the most distressing conditions that your child can endure. Most times, if your child has had one attack, another is imminent. Panic disorder can result when your child has panic attacks for no apparent physical or mental reason, but only from anxiety of the attack itself. A number of other emotional problems can trigger a panic attack in your child, but two of the most common causes are fear and separation. Separation anxiety in children happens when a child is separated from a parent or close relative for a long, or even short, period of time. A death of a relative or other loved one can also trigger this condition. The child will then become fearful of the separation happening again, and this can trigger a panic attack.

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The childhood years, particularly adolescence, are a time of great change. Fear of starting a new grade in school or confusion of changes in the body can often lead to panic attacks in children. Medical conditions such as anemia and thyroid abnormalities, and certain medications can also trigger panic attacks. It's important to mention that panic attacks in your child may even occur while your child is sleeping. These are known as nocturnal panic attacks, and they can be especially frightening for children, as the child can often wake in a state of sudden dread. Medically, children who experience these types of attacks tend to have more respiratory distress and depression associated with their condition.

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As a parent, what can you do? Well, if you have identified panic attacks in your child, the first step is to seek medical help. You should always get your child under the supervision and care of a medical professional as soon as possible. It's important to do so immediately, so that the problems can be addresses and arrested so they do not plague your child into adulthood. However, there are also other steps you can take. Herbal therapies such as treatment with St. John's wort have shown promise, as well as skullcap, Passion flower, and California poppy. It is EXTREMELY important that you consult your child's physician before treating your child with herbal remedies! Do not take it upon yourself to do so!

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Role play has also aided in relief of panic attacks in children. This method of treatment involves creating a scenario to teach your child how to react and behave in certain situations. This will help prepare your child to face different situations without panic. The knowledge and preparation will ease the anxiety your child may be having because they aren't sure how to deal with these situations as they occur. Many parents have also found relief in family support groups and self-help books and information products. There are many well know experts whose products have been known to show parents how to work in unison with medical professionals to aid their children. Many of these products focus on teaching parents how to cope with panic attacks as they occur in the home and out in public.

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Behavioral therapy, such as systematic desensitization has also shown great promise. This type of therapy is normally used to overcome specific fears and phobias, and is done by gradual exposure to the situation or object that is causing the attacks. The child is first taught relaxation skills and then must use them to overcome or react to their phobia. Lastly, a combination of medications such as antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) and behavioral therapy has proven to have a tremendous success rate, and is the generally accepted treatment of panic attacks in children.

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If you would like to learn more about the symptoms and treatment of panic attacks in children, please visit The Anxiety Free Child Program