3 Causes of Anxiety and Panic Attacks in Children You Should Know About

Anxiety is quite natural and children, like adults, havewith what would normally be looked upon as an
anxiety about any number of things, which they handleeveryday stressful event, can suffer a panic attack. In
without any real problems. But, when children's anxietyother words, a relatively small increase in stress on top
is so intense, irrational and prolonged that it interferesof higher anxiety can trigger a panic attack.
with their ability to function properly at home, in school,Separation Anxiety
etc., then it could be a 'disorder', such as generalSome children can develop a fear of being away from
anxiety disorder (GAD). And a relatively small stressfulthe comfort and perceived safety of their parents and
event, on top of already heightened anxiety, can triggerhome, e.g. attending nursery, being away on a cub
a panic attack. Here you'll discover 3 potential causesscouts camp, etc. This is most obvious when the child
of anxiety and panic attacks in children.is old enough to attend school. They will too regularly
Sudden Changes in Lifestylecome up with reasons why they can't go, such as
Children like to feel safe and comfortable, with routinesfeeling ill, stomach pains, sore tooth, nausea, etc. Of
that they know and are used to. When this situation iscourse, this could also be due to bullying, so you should
changed dramatically they can become anxious andalways follow through.
stressed. And when they aren't able to adapt quicklyUnderlying these causes is 'fear'; fear of the unknown,
enough they can suffer anxiety and panic attacks.fear of change, etc. Now, once having suffered a
Typical of these changes are moving to a new school,panic attack, another fear is the fear of having another
moving to a new neighbourhood, etc.one, because panic attack symptoms are so alarming.
Stressful Events or SituationsBut this fear itself can trigger another panic attack. It's
Children with already higher-than-normal levels ofa cycle of anxiety and fear that has to be broken in
anxiety due to a problem home environment, schoolorder to prevent further attacks, and, cure the general
pressures, peer pressures, bullying, etc., when facedanxiety.