How to help a child through a panic attack?

As a parent or caregiver, witnessing your child go through a panic attack can be an overwhelming experience. Seeing your little one in distress and feeling like there’s nothing you can do to help them may have left you feeling helpless.

But fear not, there are things you can do to assist your child during this challenging time. In this article, we’ll lay out some helpful tips that will equip you with the necessary tools for helping your child overcome their panic attacks.

What Is A Panic Attack?

Before we dive into how to help someone who is experiencing a panic attack, let us establish what it means first. So – what is a panic attack anyway?

In simple terms, it refers to sudden surges of intense anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating, trembling hands and feet or rapid heartbeat among others. These episodes usually last between 15 minutes – an hour.

Some common forms of triggers include social phobias such as public speaking or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Symptoms

Here are some commonly observed symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Racing heart
  • Trembling/Shaking
  • Chest pain/Discomfort
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • Dizziness/Lightheadedness

It’s important also note that no two Panic Attacks manifest exactly the same way; some people may encounter one symptom while other people might experience all five aforementioned simultaneously during their episode.

Tips On Helping Your Child Through A Panic Attack

We’ve compiled comprehensive tips on how best parents/guardian(s) can arm themselves against future attacks:

Remain Calm And Rational:

One needful trait when dealing with erratic emotional challenges in taking charge calmly & rationally. Capitalize on being level-headed/composed whilst reassuring the individual undergoing the episode noticeably showing empathy – don’t speak condescendingly;

( eg) “I can see it’s hard for you right now. But remember, we’ll make this through together!”

Don’t Brush It Off:

Don’t downplay or dismiss the severity of a panic attack experience, notably when it’s feasible that their all-consuming fear may consume them entirely. Letting them know you recognize exactly what they’re going through and how difficult it is would help reassure your child that they aren’t being irrational/overreacting.

  • Acknowledge the distress caused by the episode.

( eg)“It’s ok to feel scared sometimes; I’m here for you”.

Encourage Them To Speak Out:

Make sure you remain approachable & get your kids talking openly without any reservations. Conversations could include subjects about their present anxieties/fears in detail, which might offer insights into aspects such as causes/triggers indicative of potential future episodes.

( eg)“You seem anxious lately; tell me what makes you worry so that we’ll face whatever challenges ahead”.

Assist The Child In Controlling Physical Symptoms

Techniques like deep breathing exercises/yoga are efficient ways to lower heart rate/respiratory symptoms arising from an episode.

If there’s any particular object/item/cluttered space contributing to stresses during an anxiety attack session, consider relocating it/the individual outta sight altogether.

E.g., “Let us sit over here while taking some deep breaths?”

#### Introduce A Distraction

Distractions can encompass engaging activities/tools with calming benefits/sensory inputs. This helps keep their focus away from fear and on mentally stimulating tasks until attacks subside.

  • Mindfulness Coloring Books
  • Stress balls
  • Crosswords/puzzles Spot-The-Difference Activity Sheets

Keep A Diary

This diary serves several purposes; each entry should document detailed accounts chronicling each incident using helpful terminologies.

One could use it in identifying recognizable patterns or triggers that inevitably become indicators of ensuing attacks; furthermore, when your child speaks with a doctor/therapist linking all the entries together, they’ll find insight/connections granting them further clarity on this subject matter.

Professional Help May Be Crucial

If you don’t notice any improvement or success with your independent interventions, consider reaching out to professionals such as pediatricians, therapists or psychologists – people who can cater specifically to children’s needs.

Medication

In severe situations where episodes last up to an hour/a week is insured therapy sessions may supplement and enhance medication’s effectiveness.

So read through and look for options that best work for your case/etc.! While alarming at first glance aiding the individual facing panic attacks requires patience & determination but eventually bear fruit given time!

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