Coping With Panic Attacks in Children
Children of all ages can be particularly vulnerable to getting panic attacks and panic disorders when faced with a stressful situation or have a major change in their young lives. When panic attacks happen, it can be a shock to the child and parents, and it possible may have been triggered by tension, pressure, or real fears. A child will greatly benefit by learning some coping strategies that can help them reduce their feelings of anxiety and help them to handle stress more effectively. Here are some ways can help you manage panic attacks in children:
1. Trace the root cause of the panic attack. Panic attacks in children can be managed more effectively when you can trace the incident to a specific trigger. Think about what the child may have experienced over the course of the day, or what type of stressor they were exposed to before the panic attack happened. Reducing exposure to this trigger will help to keep panic attacks at bay.
2. Early detection of symptoms. Shortness of breath, sweating, crying because of fear, being afraid to leave home, or feeling like they are going to die, are some of the warning signs of an oncoming panic attack. If you notice that a child has any of these symptoms, it is necessary to help them calm down immediately.
3. Assess if a child is vulnerable to panic attacks. There are some children that exhibit certain behaviors and signs that may signify that they are predisposed to having panic attacks. It is typical of a child who experiences panic attacks to get easily startled and be always on guard. They may show that they have a very short attention span and will appear to have difficulty concentrating on certain tasks. There are some children that will frequently talk about death and even say that they wish they were dead. Upon observation of any of these signs, it is recommended the child should get professional help from a mental health counselor.
4. Study the treatment options. The treatment options for panic attacks in adults and children are similar. A child can go through Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT), take medication, or develop skills to help them confront their fears and learn to be comfortable with stressful situations. These approaches will take time before you can attain the desired effect, so it is good to be aware that there are other available methods of treatment.
5. Look for a time pattern of occurrence. It is possible that the panic attacks will occur at nearly the same time during the course of a day, and the attack may have been caused by poor sleep, dietary habits, or general lifestyle habits. If children did not eat properly before sleeping, they may experience a lot of anxiety in the morning. Children who do not get to sleep properly, they will show sign of fatigue and stress during the afternoon of the following day. To lower the risk of panic attacks, make sure that children maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Panic attacks in children can be quite common during periods of change and when the child is faced with a new environment. However, there are several ways to manage the attacks and make the child feel that they are in control. Use the tips above to help manage panic attacks in children of any age.
1. Trace the root cause of the panic attack. Panic attacks in children can be managed more effectively when you can trace the incident to a specific trigger. Think about what the child may have experienced over the course of the day, or what type of stressor they were exposed to before the panic attack happened. Reducing exposure to this trigger will help to keep panic attacks at bay.
2. Early detection of symptoms. Shortness of breath, sweating, crying because of fear, being afraid to leave home, or feeling like they are going to die, are some of the warning signs of an oncoming panic attack. If you notice that a child has any of these symptoms, it is necessary to help them calm down immediately.
3. Assess if a child is vulnerable to panic attacks. There are some children that exhibit certain behaviors and signs that may signify that they are predisposed to having panic attacks. It is typical of a child who experiences panic attacks to get easily startled and be always on guard. They may show that they have a very short attention span and will appear to have difficulty concentrating on certain tasks. There are some children that will frequently talk about death and even say that they wish they were dead. Upon observation of any of these signs, it is recommended the child should get professional help from a mental health counselor.
4. Study the treatment options. The treatment options for panic attacks in adults and children are similar. A child can go through Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT), take medication, or develop skills to help them confront their fears and learn to be comfortable with stressful situations. These approaches will take time before you can attain the desired effect, so it is good to be aware that there are other available methods of treatment.
5. Look for a time pattern of occurrence. It is possible that the panic attacks will occur at nearly the same time during the course of a day, and the attack may have been caused by poor sleep, dietary habits, or general lifestyle habits. If children did not eat properly before sleeping, they may experience a lot of anxiety in the morning. Children who do not get to sleep properly, they will show sign of fatigue and stress during the afternoon of the following day. To lower the risk of panic attacks, make sure that children maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Panic attacks in children can be quite common during periods of change and when the child is faced with a new environment. However, there are several ways to manage the attacks and make the child feel that they are in control. Use the tips above to help manage panic attacks in children of any age.
About the Author:
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