Panic Disorder in Teens and Young Adults

 

Panic disorder is actually relatively common in teens and young adults.  It is defined by repetitive panic attacks.  These panic attacks are feelings of intense fear, sometimes accompanied by physical discomfort.  There are many different symptoms that can go along with a panic attack- and not all teens will experience these attacks in the same way.  Typically, the panic attacks come without any prior notice or warning. 

 Some of the symptoms that come along with panic attacks:

• Feelings of intense fear
• Heart palpitations
• Feeling dizzy or light headed
• Feeling short of breath
• Shaking
• Loss of reality
• Fear of death
• Feeling out of control
• Fear of going crazy
• Chest pains

These are the most common symptoms that adolescents may experience when they are having a panic attack.  Often, adults that have panic attacks have experienced them first in their adolescent years.

Diagnosing Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an illness that can sometimes be tricky to diagnose.  This is because there are a variety of other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms.  Teens need to undergo a medical assessment to ensure that they are not experiencing a physical illness.  Once medical issues are ruled out, then panic disorder may be considered. 

What Happens if It Goes Untreated

Panic disorder needs to be treated early.  When treated effectively, teens are able to avoid complications such as social avoidance and isolation that may greatly impact their life and development.  There are several ways that panic attacks may interfere with day to day life Such as:

• Difficulty in close relationships
• Poor school performance
• Feelings of overwhelming anxiety
• Fear of being alone
• Fear of public places
• Turning to drugs or alcohol to deal with the anxiety

These are all preventable if you recognize the reality of the panic disorder.   Parents can feel that their child or teen is being overly dramatic about the situation and they do not take them seriously.  This is the biggest mistake that can be made.   It is important to talk about the issues and see what can be done instead of ignoring them and allowing them to get worse over time. 

Treatment Options

Through counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy, teens are able to learn how to control their anxiety and cope through a panic attack without losing control.  There are many great techniques that can be taught- including breathing techniques and cognitive thinking techniques.  As they do this, over time the panic attacks will be fewer and far between.  Medications may be indicated and effective while working through the issues that precipitated the panic attacks and acquiring these skills.

Doorways is a  faith based counseling program that can provide adolescents, young adults and their families the treatment and support that they need to cope with panic disorders.  The best way to overcome this disorder is to tackle it head on, but it is important to understand that you don’t have to do it on your own.