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Panic
Disorder in Children and Adolescents (from American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) |
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Every child's mental health is important. • Many children have mental health problems. • These problems are real and painful and can be severe. • Mental health problems can be recognized and treated. |
Mental
health problems affect one in every five young people at any given
time. "Serious emotional disturbances" for children and adolescents refers to the above disorders when they severely disrupt daily functioning in home, school, or community. Serious emotional disturbances affect one in every ten young people at any given time. For assistance/information call: 1-800-789-2647 National Mental Health Information Center 1-800-969-6642 (press 1) Mental Health America 1-800-273-8255 24 Hour Crisis Line (Mental Health America) 1-240-403-1901 National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health 1-800-950-6264 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org |
5030
El Camino Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608, (916) 609-5100, fax (916)
609-5160 info@riveroak.org |
Panic
disorder is a common and treatable disorder. Children and adolescents
with panic disorder have unexpected and repeated periods of intense fear or discomfort, along with other symptoms such as a racing heartbeat or feeling short of breath. Panic attacks frequently develop without warning. More than three million Americans will experience panic disorder during their lifetime. Panic disorder often begins during adolescence, although it may start during childhood, and sometimes runs in families. If not recognized and treated, panic disorder and its complications can be devastating. Panic disorder in children can be difficult to diagnose. This can lead to many visits to physicians and multiple medical tests which are expensive and potentially painful. When properly evaluated and diagnosed, panic disorder usually responds well to treatment. Children and adolescents with symptoms of panic attacks should first be evaluated by their family physician or pediatrician. If no other physical illness or condition is found as a cause for the symptoms, a comprehensive evaluation by a child and adolescent mental health professional should be obtained. Several types of treatment are effective. Specific medications may stop panic attacks. With techniques taught in "cognitive behavioral therapy", the child may also learn new ways to control anxiety or panic attacks when they occur. Many children and adolescents with panic disorder respond well to the combination of medication and psychotherapy. How does River Oak help children and adolescents with panic disorder? Panic disorder is a form of anxiety disorder. At River Oak, the treatment is generally Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which will generally include the child and parent/caregiver. Treatment often includes understanding inaccurate thinking, exposure therapy, psycho-education (both child and parent), relaxation techniques, self monitoring of symptoms and triggers, use of self rewards/self praise, relapse prevention, teaching problem solving skills, and parent coping. Important messages about children's and adolescents' mental health: |