Children Can Have Panic Attacks

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By Angelica C

Yes, it's true. Children and adolescents can have panic attacks and suffer anxiety disorder. Like adults, our youngsters can experience anxiety and may be so overwhelmed with situations that panic attacks occur. Stressful events like starting school, neighborhood transfers, recent loss of a loved one, separation and divorce or family's financial crisis can trigger the onset of the attacks.

Though panic disorder does not need specific triggering factors, these stressors play a vital role in anxiety disorder development if anxiety and stress levels of our child are left unchecked.

Anxiety disorder among children is marked by poor performance in school, less developed social skills, and frequent tantrums. It is diagnosed in people who suddenly experience these panic attacks, without any particular reason or cause. These people not only experience these panic attacks out of the blue, but they would also continually fear the possibility of having another episode.

This abrupt onset of overwhelming fear comes with physical symptoms like palpitations due to feelings of imminent doom, sweating, uncontrollable trembling, and difficulty in breathing, dizziness or nausea and chest pains. These are also accompanied by sleep disturbance, muscle aches, frequent stomach ailments and clingy behavior.

As symptoms are similar to heart attacks and thyroid problems, people who suffer from these panic attacks may take a long while to be properly diagnosed. The frequency of seemingly life-threatening attacks may take a toll on our kids and on the parents as well.

Since our kids could not effectively convey their emotions, the terror that they experience every time they have the panic attacks is inconceivable. Our kids can feel the same stress and anxiety that adults feel. Yet they could not fully comprehend what we could. Nor can they communicate as easily as most adults could.

If you think your child is among those who suffer from panic attacks, help can be in the form of therapies and medications. It is very important that you have your child properly diagnosed by a licensed physician.

Cognitive behavior therapy has been proven to be the most effective and most recommended kind of therapy, as this focuses on helping the child or young teen to develop and learn skills to manage his anxiety and master the situations that contribute to his panic attacks. Your child may also benefit from taking medications like anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs together with the therapy. This will help our kids be calmer and more at ease.

Parents play a significant role in spotting early symptoms of panic attacks and help prevent the onset of a panic disorder. As parents, we should be vigilant in our kids' emotional and mental well being by keeping open and healthy communication line with them. We should know that fears are part of the growing up years of our child, but when it starts to impede daily activities and social interaction with other family members and other children, do not hesitate to ask your kids what the matter is.

Constant reassurance and outpouring affection help in preventing increased anxiety levels. Also, it would definitely help if we keep calm ourselves. Children are more predisposed to suffering from anxiety attacks if the parents frequently display increased anxiety.

Who Else Wants to Understand Panic Attack Symptoms and Overcome This Disorder?

Panic attacks are chapters in a persons life where in his entire body and soul goes into a state of chaos. The heart rate increases and beats like drums. Breathing gaps become shorter and quicker. An uneasy feeling sets in. Cold hands and cold sweat. Feeling jumpy and panicky. It seems like the end of the world.

What is happening? Is it just some sudden rush of emotions? Is it a real panic attack symptom or just a mistaken cause? Is the mind playing tricks or is it something deeper than that?

When checking for the causes of panic attacks, they are quite obvious. First, check if the heart rate increases. Parallel the feeling to running away from a very angry lion that is chasing after you. Another symptom could be the arrival of chest pains, which causes difficulty in breathing. Others include an upset stomach, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and numbness in the hands or chills.

One of the symptoms is the fear of experiencing future panic attacks. Funny isn't it? But it is true. It is the thought of having an expected threat that brings anxiety even if nothing is happening yet. There is an anticipation of something that has not happened yet nor will there be any chance of it happening. Thus, this will start triggering an attack, which can develop into a phobia.

Fear can lead you to do things you have never thought of doing in your life. While in that state, you do not care what other people will think or say. The important thing is to avoid or evade the fear by any means necessary.

What is so fascinating about having an attack is that it can come without warning and can happen anytime and any day. A persons age, affluence or family name is not a reason not to have it. Researchers say that a persons first panic attack can happen between the ages of 15 to 19. It could be because of the peer pressure or the demanding environment a growing teenager is exposed to.

Panic attacks can last for a few minutes and can stretch to hours if it is not dealt with. But for the victim, the minutes seem like forever and they pray that it will go away quickly. He feels that he is in a state of craziness. He feels like he is one step closer to death.

Therefore, the primary panic attack symptom is fear. Fear needs to be faced head on, addressed and uprooted. This disorder has a way of enslaving you. But we should know that it has no power to enslave us if we do not give into it. If you see these symptoms in your life, then you should address them right away. Do not be shy to go to your doctor and ask for advice and treatment. It is better to treat it this early than have it years from now. Cure may be far fetched if we prolong the treatment. It is time to break free from it. You can do it!

Smiles During Christmas

The most priceless experience parents could ever have is to see their children smile from ear to ear after receiving their most cherished Christmas gifts. It makes you feel that you could buy them almost anything with the glorious reward. Kids are the greatest appreciator of things. They're easy to uplift and easy to satisfy than adults that's why it's really something I always look forward to during Christmas. I am always excited to wrap my presents for my nieces and nephews and of course my kids too!

Christmas is a great time to share, to give and to see the kids enjoy this season of the year. If you're unsure as to what to give this Christmas, here are just some of our suggestions!