Panic attacks in young children especially go on underreported much longer than any other group in the public. This happens because adults have a propensity to not understand what a child is trying to tell them, or actually dismiss the symptoms as a part of growing up, or the child being over dramatic. Panic attacks in these youngster can stem from another numbers of mitigating factors. It could be problems at home or school, general worry about their circumstances and day-to-day issues, and much the same reasons older individuals get panic attacks. No matter there reasons, panic attacks if left untreated in young children not only prolongs the suffering of the child at the current point in his or her life but also greatly increases the risk that they will evolve along with this problem into adulthood.

Symptoms that your child is having panic attacks are complaints of dizziness and worry along with fears that they are going to die, or issues with the world appearing funny or “unreal”. Also issues with feeling like they are not able to breathe properly, rapid heart rate and shaking are all also symptoms of panic attacks. Although in general, older children or adolescents are much more prone to experience panic attacks, very young children, especially after experiencing traumatic events, can get this debilitating disorder. A family history of panic attacks and an unstable home life also greatly increase the risk of them developing panic attacks.

Children that undergo frequent attacks are very adversely effected in social and home lives as well as their studies and even developmental processes. Other conditions can stem from the underlying panic attacks and they can develop an assortment of phobias such as the commonly displayed agoraphobia that can caused a distressed child immense fear leaving his or her parents in regular activities such as going to school or other places, even friend’s houses that they use to enjoy going to. General Anxiety disorder can also develop, this disorder is much like it sounds a general fear and worry that live on even when the child is not experiencing the dreadful symptoms of a panic attack.

Teens or sometimes even older preteen children may become very depressed or even suicidal. They also may turn to illegal substances like drugs or alcohol to numb the outcomes of the panic attacks. Diagnosing young children can often be very difficult for a family physician as they may see the child’s behavior as acting out, or not be able to understand what the child is trying to tell them and incorrectly attributing another condition to blame. Embarrassment also exists and even young children and they may be confused and feel they are to blame for their panic attacks, children often blame themselves for a lot of what goes on around them.

With your alertness as a patient though, in working with doctors the symptoms of panic attacks can often be lessened or resolved by many means that do not include medication, such as relaxation therapy and deep breathing exercises and trying to avoid the things that trigger panic attacks as much as possible.