Panic disorder in children and adolescents
, MD, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
Panic disorders are rare in prepubertal children compared to adolescents.
Panic attacks can occur alone or with other anxiety disorders (e.g. agoraphobia, separation anxiety) or psychological disorders (e.g. OCD) or certain diseases (e.g. asthma). Panic attacks can trigger an asthma attack and vice versa.
Symptoms and discomfort
The symptoms of panic attacks include a sudden onset of intense anxiety, accompanied by somatic symptoms (e.g. palpitations, sweating, tremors, shortness of breath or shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness). Compared to those in adults, panic attacks in children and adolescents are often even more dramatic on the outside (e.g. with screaming, crying and hyperventilation). This behavior can be alarming for parents and others.