| When reviewing the panic attacks children suffer, it is | | | | What is the best way to deal with the panic attacks |
| important to distinguish between these attacks and | | | | children experience? The immediate action should be |
| panic disorders. Panic disorders are an anxiety disorder | | | | to provide comfort and reassurance. Physical holding |
| and are different in nature and severity. Panic attacks | | | | and soothing words to let the child understand that |
| usually have identifiable symptoms that last for a short | | | | they are okay is the immediate need. Parents who do |
| while, usually less than ten minutes. The symptoms of | | | | not know for certain what is happening can be |
| panic attacks usually subside without the need for | | | | frightened, but must stay calm in order to help the child. |
| outside interference and does not require accelerated | | | | The parents needs to provide an image of centered |
| treatment. | | | | support to the child. Do not react in an out of control |
| Children may not be able to understand what the | | | | manner, as this will make the situation worse. The |
| symptoms of an attack mean. They may not be able | | | | attacks are usually only a few minutes in duration, so |
| to even explain the symptoms. They may be afraid | | | | physical contact and sitting quietly will be of more help |
| that they are unwell, but would not associate | | | | than calling for emergency services. |
| symptoms with a heart attack, for example. If you are | | | | Once the immediate event is over, the parent needs to |
| able to observe the attack while it is going on, you will | | | | find out the underlying problem. Sometimes the child |
| be better able to deal with the symptoms so that you | | | | may not know what is actually bothering them. The |
| can offer appropriate help. | | | | parent might need to do a little digging or gentle |
| Some of the panic attack symptoms in children might | | | | questioning to determine that the child is worried about |
| be shortness of breath, hot or cold temperature, fear, | | | | grades or about another child who is a bully. |
| dizziness, racing heart rate, trembling, nausea, or | | | | While taking action to resolve panic attacks children |
| sweating. The symptoms are the bodies unconscious | | | | have, parents have an excellent opportunity to model |
| response to extreme danger. It is commonly known as | | | | behavior that is appropriate for dealing with problems. |
| flight or fight and may occur whether the danger is real | | | | Telling your child to quit worrying is not nearly as |
| or only perceived. | | | | effective as showing the child how to deal with |
| It is interesting that in panic attacks children may think | | | | situations that are difficult to control. For instance if it is |
| that the cause is some particular outside event. For | | | | the school bully that is causing your child the grief then |
| example, seeing a big dog and being afraid of the dog | | | | they need to be identified as a cause and reported to |
| is linked to the intense fear they feel. The attacks can | | | | the school officials. Reassuring a child who is worried |
| be related also to worry. The worry might be about | | | | about grades might mean that letting them know that |
| grades or an upcoming stressful event that the child | | | | your love for them does not depend on an |
| feels powerless to control. This can trigger an attack. | | | | examination grade. |