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How to Calm Your Child


panic attacks in children

If you have a child who is suffering from panic attacks, there are a few things you should know. Although panic attacks can be scary they usually don't do your child any permanent harm and will usually pass within seconds. But they leave you and your kid reeling, feeling nervous and worried for what just happened. The fear of another panic attack can cause the panic attacks to become more intense, so it's important to take steps to get your child to feel better and avoid another one. Here are some tips for treating panic attacks in children.

- Identify and treat any phobias. Many people have phobias such as social anxiety disorder, social phobia or hyperventilating that can trigger panic attacks in children. Identifying and treating these phobias is important for them to become less intense. Your child may also suffer from post-traumatic stress, which is associated with physical feelings of fear, anxiety and worrying. Talk to your kid about his/her phobias and ask him/her to talk about their feelings and how they are feeling about them.

- Treating panic attacks in children includes treating their symptoms. These symptoms include hyperventilating, sweating, muscle tension, difficulty breathing and a fast heart beat. Children who have hyperventilating often experience chest pain and shortness of breath. So, teach them to breathe deeply and talk to them in a calm manner if they start sweating.

- Avoid situations that trigger attacks. Children who have experienced traumatic events like the death of a parent or pet, losing a pet or being abandoned may develop an increased level of anxiety as they approach their first birthday or if they are separated from their parents. If you think your kid may be experiencing these symptoms because of a traumatic event, talk to him/her about the situation so he/she will know it is not something uncommon. Explain to your child that there are certain things that may trigger anxiety attacks and that there are things that can lessen or prevent the symptoms.

- Teach your kids to do breathing exercises regularly. This helps them avoid hyperventilation and anxiety when they are around crowds of people. It also teaches them to control their heart rate and keep it within normal limits. When the heart rate goes over normal limits, it can cause panic attacks in children.

- Give your child coping mechanisms to deal with their anxiety. They can use breathing exercises, imagining what it feels like to have a lion inside their cage or imagining a tree outside their house. Some children will simply tell themselves that everything is going to be alright and they can handle it. But most of them need help from you or your doctor to learn coping mechanisms for panic attacks in children. This can include counseling, behavioral therapy or medication. Your child needs to learn that panic attacks are only temporary and they will be over with soon.

- Give your child vitamins and minerals supplements. Vitamins B, A, C and E are good for the heart and the brain. Children may believe that they are having a heart attack or they may even think that a panic attack is going to occur. Giving your child nutritional supplements can help them feel better and have less anxiety.

- Let your child take his time and relax. Stressful experiences or traumatic events can trigger panic attacks in children. Children have very delicate physical feelings that can trigger panic attacks in children if they are not given enough rest and relaxation. When the child is given the chance to calm down and relax, he will be able to handle the stressful situation and hopefully not have an episode ever again.

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