Panic Disorder is diagnosed when a child suffers at least two unexpected Panic Attacks, followed by at least 1 month of concern over having another attack, losing control, or "going crazy." The most common age of onset for Panic Disorder is the early to mid twenties. It is not common in young children, but can begin in adolescence.
A Panic Attack is defined as the abrupt onset of an episode of intense fear or discomfort, which peaks in approximately 10 minutes, and includes at least four of the following symptoms:
• a feeling of imminent danger or doomChildren, like adults, often become apprehensive when in situations or places where they have previously had attacks, and may begin to avoid these situations and places. Agoraphobia can develop when the child begins to avoid situations in which he/she has had a panic attack previously, or situations and places from which the child feels that he/she would not be able to escape if experiencing a Panic Attack.
• the need to escape
• palpitations
• sweating
• trembling
• shortness of breath or a smothering feeling
• a feeling of choking
• chest pain or discomfort
• nausea or abdominal discomfort
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• a sense of things being unreal, depersonalization
• a fear of losing control or "going crazy"
• a fear of dying
• tingling sensations
• chills or hot flushes
The above text is from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA).
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Jim Viccaro, M.S.,
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