| Anxiety attacks, better known as "panic attacks", are | | | | - Choking/Gasping for air |
| often thought to be a by-product of adult living. You | | | | - Excessive sweating |
| may be surprised to discover, however, that children | | | | - Uncontrollable trembling |
| can also suffer from panic attacks, though often they | | | | - Irrational thoughts and feelings |
| go unnoticed or are not properly diagnosed. | | | | Remember, these are only some of the more |
| Unfortunately, if a panic attack is not treated, there can | | | | common symptoms. Your child may display other |
| be serious averse effects involved. | | | | symptoms not found on this list. Be aware of the signs |
| So just what is a panic attack? A panic attack causes | | | | of a panic attack, and be sure to seek prompt |
| a person to feel "out of control". They are gripped by | | | | treatment from professionals. This is perhaps more |
| anxiety and fear, and are often unable to function to | | | | important than even adults seeking treatment, as the |
| any extent while suffering the attack. More often than | | | | severity of the attacks are more prone to increase in |
| not, a person who has a panic attack cannot even tell | | | | children and may result in being fatal. |
| you when or why it occurs - it just does. | | | | As with adults, emotional and traumatic experiences |
| These episodes are frightening for adults, but can | | | | are typically what initiate a panic attack in children. It is |
| easily be even more frightening for children who are | | | | important that, if a child has suffered the loss of a |
| clueless as to what is happening to them and why it is | | | | loved one or has what may seem to be a "silly" fear |
| occurring. For children, a panic attack usually lasts for | | | | at the time (i.e. afraid of the dark) that you take |
| 15 seconds or less. During the attack, they often feel | | | | appropriate steps to soothe and talk to the child. |
| and appear to be out of control. Their peers may see | | | | Remember that children often have also not yet |
| them as being "crazy" because of this condition, which | | | | developed the coping skills necessary to explain and |
| is extremely embarrassing for the child. The judgments | | | | defend themselves in front of their peers at school, |
| they will face if they continue to have panic attacks in | | | | whom they are forced to confront on almost a daily |
| front of other children is reason alone to be sure it is | | | | basis. A child's sinking social status at school can lead |
| taken care of. | | | | to several issues: drop in grades, social anxiety, anger, |
| The effects of a panic attack greatly vary from | | | | and depression just to name a few. |
| person to person, but generally these attacks are | | | | So take the time to talk to your child. Ask them how |
| associated with cardiovascular problems and nervous | | | | they feel when they have a panic attack, and let them |
| breakdowns. The list below shows some of the most | | | | know that it's a normal and very treatable disorder. |
| common symptoms of panic attacks in children: | | | | Take advantage of the help and many resources out |
| - Feelings of dread and fear | | | | there to ensure that your child has the best start to life |
| - Heart palpitations/rapid heart beat | | | | as possible. |
| - Dizziness | | | | |