The nature of the phenomenon of panic attacks has not yet been clarified. In the scientific world, there are only hypotheses about the nature of this phenomenon. But what should parents do in case of panic attacks in children? How to identify this condition? How to help the child himself? How to draw up a course of treatment? We will give answers to these questions further.
What kind of phenomenon?
What is a panic attack in children? This is a sudden attack of a strong (deep, animal) causeless fear, intensely growing. The mental state is supplemented by physical manifestations - the child has a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, he feels shortness of breath, a lump in the throat. A person can feel the blur and unreality of what is happening with him. On average, the state lasts 10-30 minutes.
What is important to highlight, panic attacks in children and adults is not an isolated manifestation. A person experiences a state again and again. He develops phobias, he is afraid to relive this frightening sensation. The protracted form (more than a year) is called panic attack syndrome.
The peak incidence occurs at the age of 25-35 years. Mostly susceptible to women. Panic attacks in children against this background are a rare occurrence. However, the child may well experience such attacks, starting from a conscious age (3-4 years).
Panic attacks themselves are not dangerous - no one has died from them. However, they can lead to stress, depression, suicide attempts, and drug dependence. Often panic attacks were harbingers of stroke, bleeding, asthma, thyrotoxicosis.
Nature of the phenomenon
Panic attacks in a child of 7 years. Why does this happen? The scientific world has not yet given an exact answer to the question. There are many hypotheses to explain:
- Increased production of catecholamines - adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine. These hormones are designed to mobilize the nervous system. Developed in a state where you urgently need to run, fight. It is believed that excessive production of such highly activating hormones can manifest as a panic attack. By the way, with intravenous administration of adrenaline, it will be a side effect.
- The genetic hypothesis. A very curious statement: if the identical twin experiences anxiety and fear, then in 50% of cases this condition will overtake his brother or sister. Even if they are very far away. This is confirmed by 15-20% of the twins surveyed.
- Psychoanalytic version. Z. Freud with his followers believed that panic attacks reveal a person with a deep intrapersonal conflict. The consequence of the suppression of conditions requiring emotional discharge. Not entirely suitable for explaining panic attacks in a 6 year old child.
- Cognitive hypothesis. The body misinterprets its sensations. For example, perceives physical activity as a mortal threat. In response, throws a powerful share of adrenaline, which leads to a panic attack.
- Inner fears. Human phobias (fear of heights, insects, darkness) in the corresponding situation can turn into such an attack. This is quite suitable for the cause of a panic attack in a 5 year old child.
What is going on with the baby?
At the time of a panic attack, the following happens in the human body:
- A sharp adrenaline rush.
- The consequence is a narrowing of blood vessels, rapid breathing and palpitations.
- High blood pressure.
- Frequent breathing increases the release of carbon dioxide, which further enhances anxiety.
- Carbon dioxide changes the pH of the blood. This leads to dizziness, numbness of the limbs.
- Vascular spasm slows the delivery of oxygen to tissues: lactic acid builds up, which increases the onset of the attack.
The psychological causes of the condition
In most cases, panic attacks in children are due to psychological reasons:
- Phobias.
- Depression
- The accelerated rhythm of life.
- Constant stress.
- Post-traumatic disorder after an accident, surgery, morally severe event, etc.
- Early onset of sexual activity.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a constant fear of dangerous and unpleasant situations.
- Schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorders.
Panic attacks can also provoke medications - glucocorticoids, anabolics, etc.
Pathological causes of the condition
A panic attack can also be a manifestation of one of the developing serious diseases:
- Coronary artery disease.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Adrenal gland tumor (characterized by excessive production of adrenaline).
- Thyrotoxic crisis.
Risk groups
It is also important to identify the categories of children who are more susceptible to such a disorder than others. The leading factors will be:
- Inactive lifestyle. The child’s body all the time needs emotional discharge - sports, noisy games, communication with peers. If not, then emotions come out through a panic attack.
- Closure, retention of feelings and emotions within oneself.
- Lack of full sleep. Lack of sleep leads to increased production of adrenaline and other hormones that trigger a panic attack.
Mental manifestations
Denote the psychological symptoms of panic attacks in children:
- Fear of death. It can transform into a fear of getting sick, suffocating, falling from a height and so on.
- A sense of impending disaster.
- Fear of losing your mind, losing your mind.
- A constant sensation of a nonexistent coma in the throat.
- The derealization of reality: the effect of slow motion, distortion of sounds, visual images. It seems to man that the real world is being taken by the wayside.
- Depersonalization. It seems to the child that he sees his body from the side, cannot control himself.
- A fainting state, lightheadedness, a feeling that he will soon lose consciousness.
Physiological manifestations
The onset of a panic attack in a child can be recognized by the following signs:
- Hot flashes or cold.
- Cardiopalmus.
- Increased breathing.
- Increased sweating.
- Dry mouth.
- Pain in the left side of the chest.
- Diarrhea or, on the contrary, constipation.
- Cold arms and legs.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting
- Unpleasant sensations in the upper abdomen.
- Chills and trembling.
- Weakness.
- Dizziness.
Symptoms Between Panic Attacks
Panic attack syndrome can be detected during calm periods:
- The child is in an anxious state, anticipates a recurrence of the attack.
- Fear of a situation or location in which a previous attack occurred.
- Social maladaptation - a person is afraid to be alone, to travel in unaccompanied vehicles, and so on.
- A clear manifestation of phobias: fear of open space, death, madness, darkness, etc.
- The so-called astheno-depressive syndrome: poor sleep, weakness, fatigue, tearfulness, bad mood, impaired attention.
- Depression.
- Hysterical disorders.
- Unpleasant obsessive thoughts, anxiety.
- Fussiness.
How to alleviate the condition yourself?
The child has panic attacks. What to do? First of all, teach him to cope with the condition on his own - in case you are not around:
- To repeat to oneself that this condition is not dangerous, that it will pass soon.
- Breathe in the stomach, concentrate on breathing. Make sure that the exhalation is longer than the inhalation.
- Massage thumbs, little fingers, ears, concentrate on my own feelings.
- Take a contrast shower: 20-30 seconds - warm water, the same amount - cold.
- Distracted by something: view from the window, film, music.
- "Angry" at the attack.
How to help a child with a panic attack? We recommend the following:
- Do not leave him alone during an attack. To reassure you with a calm and quiet speech: "All is well, hold on, this will pass soon."
- Together with the child, breathe deeply, attracting him to repeat inspirations, exhalations behind him.
- Massage your neck, shoulders, back.
- Help take a contrast shower.
- Make tea from chamomile, mint, lemon balm, linden.
- Include music, a movie, an audiobook that can calm a child.
- Sing a song together, start counting cars, solve math problems, recite poems - you need to distract the child from this state.
- Tingle lightly, pinch it.
- Dilute 10 drops of peony / valocordin tincture / valerian tincture / motherwort tincture in a glass of water and offer the child.
Therapy
Treatment for panic attacks in children should only be prescribed by a qualified specialist. An important component is drug therapy:
- Tricyclic antidepressants.
- Tranquilizers.
- Antidepressant inhibitors based on serotonin reuptake.
- Nootropic drugs.
It is important to note that such serious drugs that directly affect the psyche and consciousness of a person can only be prescribed by the attending physician! Self-medication in this case is detrimental to the children's psyche. The specialist selects the most suitable drug for the patient, his individual condition, prescribes a specific dosage, frequency of administration and duration of treatment.
Psychotherapeutic methods are also widely used:
- Body-oriented psychotherapy.
- Psychoanalysis.
- Hypnosis: Erickson and classic.
- Gestalt therapy.
- Neuro-linguistic programming.
- Family systemic psychotherapy.
- Desensitization, etc.
Physiotherapeutic methods are also used. In particular, electrophoresis with magnesium sulfate, brromelectron.
Preventative measures
To free the child from new attacks, you need to deal with the full prevention of the condition:
- Learn relaxing breathing exercises. It is important and simple to develop the habit of coping with stress with the help of "deep breath - deep exhale".
- Learn the simplest meditation exercises, pick up a collection of music for meditation.
- To occupy a child with an active sport - dancing, rollerblading, ice skating, wrestling and so on.
- Refer to classes that increase stress resistance: watching humorous programs and good cartoons, a new hobby, art classes - drawing, embroidery, modeling and so on.
- Keep a personal diary where to reflect personal achievements.
- Strictly control sleep / wakefulness.
- Make the right diet for your child. Particular attention should be paid to the content of foods rich in vitamin C, calcium, zinc and magnesium.
- Practice herbal medicine - decoctions of motherwort, linden, hop cones, valerian root, chamomile flowers.
You are now familiar with the symptoms and treatment of panic attacks in children. Although the nature of this condition is still not reliably known to scientists, the medical world has developed clear recommendations for self-help, treatment and prevention measures to help cope with seizures.