Much like adults, children and teens can experience panic attacks which are short intense periods of anxiety accompanied by severe physical discomfort. During a panic attack, a child may feel as if they are losing control physically and mentally or even dying. Children or teens may feel the need to try to escape a situation or seek medical assistance. Panic attacks can be triggered by a situation (such as a feared social situation) or can be seemingly spontaneous. Panic attacks (as an add on diagnosis) are different from a Panic Disorder diagnosis. Panic Attacks (as an add on) occur within the context of another mental health or medical disorder. When panic attacks reoccur randomly without being associated with another medical or mental health disorder, it is often characterized as a Panic Disorder.

 

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Shaking

• Difficulty breathing

• Sweating and hot flashes

• Nausea or vomiting

• Increased heart rate or heart palpitations

• Feeling of losing control, needing to escape, dying

• Dizziness, feeling faint, fear of passing out