pediatrics
Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Introduction
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, frequent (at least once/week) panic attacks. Panic attacks are discrete spells lasting about 20 minutes; during attacks, children experience somatic symptoms, cognitive symptoms, or both. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and behavioral therapy. (See also Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder in adults.) Panic disorder is much less common among prepubertal children than among adolescents. Panic attacks can occur alone or in other anxiety disorders (eg, Agoraphobia in Children and Adolescents , 