Teens suffering from Panic Attacks.

Panic attacks although very common can be very frightening for your Teen to experience.

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack happens suddenly, it can be when your teen is feeling worried, afraid, or stressed about something.

Our bodies naturally try to defend us and our fight or flight jumps in to try and protect us.

For some teenagers a panic attack can feel like their dying, they may experience chest tightening, difficulty breathing, and dizziness.

What are some signs to look out for?

Some signs to look out for are frequent:

• Stomachaches

• Headaches

• Muscle Pains

• Difficulty Breathing

• Fear or worry

• Restlessness

What can cause Panic Attacks in teenagers?

Teenagers who tend to be more timid and nervous may experience panic attacks or anxiety more often than those who are extroverted and frequently enjoy social interactions.

When teenagers feel uncertain this can increase symptoms of anxiety and their body needs to find a way to feel safe. Many teenagers do not know of healthy ways to cope with their feelings of uncertainty and it can lead them to easily spiral and feel that they are not in control. This can easily cause frequent panic attacks.

Teens can also experience panic attacks due to stressful environments like a school setting where they are constantly being bullied or a home where their parents are constantly arguing.

Performance panic attacks may also arise for teens who want to perform well at school, speech, sports games, or events.

How can I help my Teen experiencing panic attacks?

Some teens are able to cope with their panic attacks with the help of an adult without medication, others may require medication depending on the severity of their symptoms.

If your teen is willing to talk, communicate with them to better understand the severity of their symptoms. Offer them the opportunity to provide you with what they think will be a helpful solution.

Many teens need to learn coping skills and be offered a safe space to understand their fears and anxiety.

Therapy can allow your teen to work with a specialist in understanding what is causing their panic attacks and offer them coping skills that they can use when they are experiencing them.