pediatrics
Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of a panic attack involve a sudden surge of intense fear, accompanied by somatic symptoms (eg, palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or choking, chest pain, nausea, dizziness). Compared with those in adults, panic attacks in children and adolescents are often more dramatic in presentation (eg, with screaming, weeping, and hyperventilation). This display can be alarming to parents and others. Panic attacks usually develop spontaneously, but over time, children begin to attribute them to certain situations and environments. Affected children then attempt to avoid those situations, which can lead to Agoraphobia in Children and Adolescents . Avoidance behaviors are considered agoraphobia if they greatly impair normal functioning, such as going to school, visiting the mall, or doing other typical activities. 