Panic Attack Symptoms in a Child

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, "panic disorder is a common and treatable disorder" in children. If the symptoms of panic disorder are recognized early, it is possible to put in place a treatment plan that will help a child to deal with his disorder and avoid further psychiatric problems or substance abuse. The most common symptom of panic disorder are panic attacks, and being able to recognize the signs of a panic attack in a child is the key to early detection and treatment of the underlying problems.

Fear

• A child having a panic attack may experience a feeling of intense and unexplained fear. This fear may be irrational but at the same time completely paralyzing for the child. He may express terror at the thought of dying, experiencing separation from family or friends, becoming hurt or any number of other scary circumstances that are not a part of his actual reality. This can cause an extreme sense of helplessness and concern in parents and caregivers witnessing the attack.

Rapid Heart Beat

• When a child is experiencing a panic attack, her heart responds as if she were in a situation that matches the fear she is feeling. As a result, her heartbeat will race, pound and skip, and she will feel physically just like a person who is actually experiencing a terrorizing circumstance, such as an automobile accident, sudden injury or surprise attack, even though she may be in the comfort of her home or the safety of her school.

Physical Trembling

• The fear brought on by a panic attack can cause a child to physically shake and tremble. This trembling is the body's way of warming itself. The child's body becomes cold during a panic attack because the blood flow is limited to certain parts of his body.

Difficulty Breathing

• A child who is experiencing a panic attack may begin to breath quickly. This is the body's way of getting more oxygen into the muscles to aid in flight. A child experiencing the fear brought on by a panic attack will naturally feel a need to escape, even if her actual circumstances are safe and secure, and her muscles need increased oxygen to run. This may lead a panicked child to gasp for breath without any physical exertion or exhaustion.

Dizziness

• When a child is experiencing a panic attack, he may become dizzy and disoriented. This happens because his body is working so hard to fuel his muscles with oxygen that less oxygen is being sent to his brain. A child who is panicking should be encouraged gently to sit down so that he does not fall or faint and sustain any injuries before the attack passes.