It is an unfortunate reality that panic and anxiety attacks occur in children. It is so heartbreaking because children are so young and defenseless. Most of the time it goes untreated because most adults believe that children bear no responsibility (i.e. paying bills, going to work etc.) and thus should not be developing any stress. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Before panic attacks in children and adolescents is discussed. A panic attack itself must first be identified and defined. From the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry panic attacks are described as repeated periods of intense fear and/or discomfort along with an increased heartbeat and shortness of breath. These periods are called panic attacks and can last anywhere between a few minutes to several hours. Panic attacks generally develop without any warning. A more complete list of panic attack symptoms are:

• Intense fear (of dying, losing control or losing your mind).
• Tightness in chest and/or abdomen.
• Nausea.
• Dizziness or headaches.
• Shortness of breath or a smothering sensation.
• Uncontrollable shaking or trembling
• Sense of unreality.

In children or adolescents anxiety attacks can interfere with the ability to make relationships, schoolwork & normal healthy development. For some children it becomes so severe that they avoid certain situations for fear that a panic attack might occur. These situations typically include going to school or being separated from their parents. In extreme cases, the child may not want to leave home. If untreated, some children or adolescents may start to exhibit self-destructive or suicidal behaviors.

The good news though is that children and adolescents typically respond well to treatment for panic or anxiety disorder.