Did My Child Have a Panic Attack? How to Recognize a Panic Disorder in Your Kid

A panic disorder in a child appears to manifest itself very differently than a panic disorder in an adult. This is because children tend only to report the physical symptoms of panic attacks rather than the psychological symptoms. As well, a child may have a different trigger than an adult for a panic attack – for example, obsessive-compulsive disorder or separation anxiety may trigger a panic attack in a child whereas adults are less likely to have panic attacks as manifestations of these conditions.

Often, when a child experiences a panic attack, he or she may appear suddenly frightened or upset with no explanation. Mostly the child is unable to articulate the explanation, so confuses himself and others. Even when a child is able to articulate the cause of her panic, she will sometimes misidentify the cause. Such a child may explain that she started feeling scared when she saw a big dog, leading adults to believe she was simply frightened by a dog in one particular instance. Adults will fail to understand the intense fear the child felt which may or may not be related to the presence of the dog.

If you notice your child having a panic attack in response to the same stimuli, always becoming when you turn off the lights, for example, she may have a phobia rather than an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder is characterized by the unpredictability of the attacks; you never know what will trigger a panic attack. So, if you notice or your child reports panic attack symptoms randomly, sometimes because she saw a dog, sometimes because the lights were off and sometimes because she got scolded in school, and sometimes for no articulable reason at all, he may have a panic disorder.

Sometimes children having a panic attack incorrectly explain their symptoms as a response to an external trigger (for example, “It started when I saw that dog”). These children, particularly if they are very young, may not be able to articulate the intense fears they experience during a panic attack. Adolescents are generally better able to describe what they experience, particularly after a panic attack has ended.

If left untreated, a panic disorder in a child can disrupt cognitive development as well as family and peer relationships. How can you help once you recognize the symptoms of a panic attack in your child? More than anything, listen to your child and be patient with him. Don’t become angry at his attacks or dismiss them. This only causes the child more stress and, possibly, more panic attacks. Do not try to reason with your child, a panic disorder is an unreasonable thing. At least adults who suffer from panic attacks recognize this; your child may not, and trying to explain it to her may cause her to feel stupid or bad and hide her problem from you. Learn about and teach your child relaxation techniques, and, above all, take your child to a doctor to determine if he has a normal phobia that he’ll grow out of or if he needs some sort of professional treatment.

A panic attack is a frightening thing for an adult; it is downright terrifying for a child. You can help your child deal with the experience by being vigilant, patient, and understanding.