It’s sad to have to admit this, but panic attacks children as well as adults. Considering the innocence and playful nature of children, one would think life’s stresses would not be such an issue. But one would be wrong. A panic attack, for them, is just as real as it is for an adult.

Parent’s may try to shield their kids from life’s stresses, but even that is enough to stress out a child, who doesn’t understand what is really going on and feels his/her parents are hiding something. Instilling fear into a child is the worst thing a parent can do, especially with highly sensitive children.

According to the American Research Department of Children (AACAP), panic attacks are recurring periods of discomfort and/or intense fear,” along with rapid heartbeats and difficulty breathing. When a panic attacks children, the results can be far worse than an episode for an adult and can last much longer.

As an adult, the parent has the power to create this situation, but also has the power to ameliorate the effects, even as far as preventing panic disorder from becoming a lifelong pattern for the child. Here are some things to consider:

1. A parent is in the best position to know what affects a child’s emotional state. If a child is highly sensitive, then working with the child through cognitive behavior therapy will help the child grow emotionally strong. Just telling a child to “stop worrying” is not going to accomplish what you seek. Fear is real and when panic attacks children, fear, and very often for kids, irrationality takes over.

2. Even the less emotionally sensitive child can develop panic disorder. Certain events that change a child’s world can be enough to start that ball rolling. The death of a close friend or relative or pet, family upheavals, traumatic events are all enough to send an otherwise rational child into the throes of a full-blown panic attack. These things are tough for adults to handle. Imagine what a child has to go through!

3. Some kids suffer from GAD–generalized anxiety disorder. If you know your child gets too anxious at the prospect of certain events (family get-togethers, the onset of a new school year, etc.), then you already know this is fertile ground for the development of panic disorder. Again, the parent has the best advantage to see where a child is headed in his/her emotional development. Early intervention is key to avoiding a lifelong problem.

4. Therefore, when panic attacks children, a wise parent will have armed him/herself ahead of time with the knowledge necessary to prevent and eliminate these problems. Our free report, How To Get Rid of Stress and Anxiety is a great place to start.