Is your child suffering from spells of intense fear or discomfort? They may be experiencing panic attacks. These can cripple an adolescent’s development and progress. They are often hit with no warning and most adolescents are not equipped to deal with them. Unmanaged attacks can lead to increased issues such as severe anxiety or depression.
Who is at risk?
If panic disorder runs in the family, your child has a higher risk of developing it. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology, over 3 million Americans will experience panic disorder in their life. Panic disorder usually begins in adolescence—an already tumultuous period—and if left alone, can form into a severe anxiety disorder with depression, phobias, and more. It’s important to recognize panic attacks because they often signal the beginning of a disorder.
Identifying panic attacks
A panic attack is overwhelming and intense and makes the person experiencing it feels helpless. If they continue unmanaged into adulthood, often they help form phobias out of the fear of triggering another attack. According to the American Psychological Association, common signs of panic attacks include:
- Choking, chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Intense fear/Crippling terror
- Hot flash/sudden chills
- Lightheadedness/dizziness
- Racing heartbeat
- Sweating/shaking/trembling
If you believe your child is struggling with any of these issues, it may be time to seek out professional help.
blueFire Wilderness can help
If your child’s panic attacks become unmanageable and nothing seems to be helping, blueFire Wilderness may be able to help. blueFire is a therapeutic wilderness program for teens struggling with issues, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, panic disorder, and many more. Through our healthy environment and evidence-based therapy, we help teens work through their issues and move towards a brighter future.
For more information about how blueFire treats panic attacks, please contact us today at 1(844)-413-1999.