Panic Disorder

1
Panic Disorder

• Among Children Ages 6-18

2
Introduction

• Anxiety is one of the most well known psychiatric
  problems found in children through the adolescent
  years.
• Panic disorder is a type of anxiety illness.
  characterized by a series of attacks of anxiety
  or terror.
• Attacks last for 15 to 30 minutes.

3
Somatic and Cognitive Symptoms.

• Somatic shortness of breath, accelerated heart
  rate, chest pain, choking sensations, dizziness,
  tingling or numbing sensations, hot or cold
  flashes, sweating, trembling, and nausea.
• Cognitive fear of dying, going crazy, or losing
  control.
• Places that often trigger an attack are crowded
  malls, theaters, auditoriums, restaurants, and
  schools.

4
Testing

• Self-report questionnaires are typically used
• The Revised Child Anxiety and depression scale
• The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children
• The Fear Survey Schedule for Children
• The Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index

5
Facts

• Girls had higher rates of panic disorder then
  boys.
• Symptoms of panic disorder decreased as children
  became older and younger children displayed
  higher levels of anxiety then older children.
• The most common symptom among all the children
  was, trembling, dizziness, pounding heart, and
  sweating.

6
Statistics

• 16 of children with panic disorder said they had
  less social support and more stress and pressure
  from the family then children who did not have
  the disorder.
• 8 and 12 of children admit to having forms of
  anxiety.
• 35 to 63 of adolescents are said to have at
  least one panic attack in their life.

7
Statistics

• Only 2 out of 104 children and adolescents who
  had panic attacks sought professional help.
• 3 out of 4 adolescence with panic disorder
  reported their first panic attack occurred when
  they were younger then twelve.
• 18 of adults with panic disorder have claimed
  that their first panic attacks started before age
  10 and the peak of extreme panic was between ages
  15-18.

8
Causes

• Children who have the characteristic of being
  inhibited and shy have a greater chance of
  developing panic disorder.
• Separation anxiety as a toddler could lead to
  panic disorder at a later age.

9
Effects Without Treatment

• Panic attacks can get in the way of a child's or
  adolescent's relationships, schoolwork, and
  normal social development.
• In some severe cases, the child may be too afraid
  to leave their house. This pattern of avoiding
  certain places or situations is called
  agoraphobia.

10
Treatment

• Psychosocial and psychopharmacological treatments
  are available.
• Cognitive behavioral programs require five
  treatment sessions.
• Anti-anxiety medications are used as well as
  antidepressants and heart medications to control
  irregular heartbeats.