Panic Attacks In Children - What You Need To Know

To the surprise of many, anxiety or panic attacks in children of teenagers are more common than you may think. Although treatable, this disorder strikes unexpectedly during times of intense fear and anxiety.

The symptoms of anxiety attacks are numerous, but generally include a rapid or racing heartbeat and unusually intense feelings of fear. The duration of a panic attack can be from just a couple of minutes to a few hours.

You should be aware of the main symptoms of panic attacks, which include:

- Breathing difficulty or shortness of breath

- Rapid, racing heartbeat

- Shaking

- Dizziness or feelings that you will pass out

- Intense fear

- Feelings of dying and losing control

One of the biggest issues that confront children and panic attacks is that they are not equipped to handle the symptoms as well as adults. The fear in children is magnified since they haven't grasped the fact that the attacks are normally non-life threatening.

It's important to note that panic or anxiety attacks tend to run in families. Left untreated, it can permanently create complications in a child's life. From school settings to interacting with other family members, panic attacks can severely cause developmental issues and cause the child to live in constant fear.

As the disorder further develops you may notice the child not even wanting to leave home or go to certain places because of the intense fear. Also known as agoraphobia, it is not uncommon in children who regularly go through these kinds of attacks.

Finally, parents should be on the lookout for substance abuse in these situations. Teenagers especially, will often turn to drugs and alcohol to escape. Early treatment is vital in getting panic attacks under control. Fortunately, there are treatment methods available. You can find out more on an excellent method of eliminating panic attacks by going to Panic Away.