Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, frequent (at least once/week) panic attacks. Panic attacks are discrete spells lasting about 20 minutes; during attacks, children experience somatic symptoms, cognitive symptoms, or both. Diagnosis is by clinical criteria. Treatment is with benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and behavioral therapy.
(See also Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder in adults.)
Panic disorder is much less common among prepubertal children than among adolescents.
Panic attacks can occur alone or in other anxiety disorders (eg, agoraphobia, separation anxiety), other psychiatric disorders (eg, obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD]), or certain medical disorders (eg, asthma). Panic attacks can trigger an asthma attack and vice versa.
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of a panic attack involve a sudden surge of intense fear, accompanied by somatic symptoms (eg, palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or choking, chest pain, nausea, dizziness). Compared with those in adults, panic attacks in children and adolescents are often more dramatic in presentation (eg, with screaming, weeping, and hyperventilation). This display can be alarming to parents and others.
Panic attacks usually develop spontaneously, but over time, children begin to attribute them to certain situations and environments. Affected children then attempt to avoid those situations, which can lead to agoraphobia. Avoidance behaviors are considered agoraphobia if they greatly impair normal functioning, such as going to school, visiting the mall, or doing other typical activities.
Diagnosis
Psychiatric assessment
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) criteria
Evaluation for other causes
Panic disorder is diagnosed based on a history of recurrent panic attacks, usually after a physical examination is done to rule out physical causes of somatic symptoms. Many children undergo considerable diagnostic testing before panic disorder is suspected. The presence of other disorders, especially asthma, can also complicate the diagnosis. Thorough screening for other disorders (eg, obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD], social anxiety disorder) is needed because any one of these disorders may be the primary problem causing panic attacks as a symptom.
In adults, important diagnostic criteria for panic disorder include concerns about future attacks, the implications of the attacks, and changes in behavior. However, children and younger adolescents usually lack the insight and forethought needed to develop these features, except they may change behavior to avoid situations they believe are related to the panic attack.
Treatment
Usually benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) plus behavioral therapy
Treatment of panic disorder is usually a combination of drug therapy and behavioral therapy. In children, it is difficult to even begin behavioral therapy until after the panic attacks have been controlled by medications.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good with treatment. Without treatment, adolescents may drop out of school, withdraw from society, and become reclusive and suicidal.
Panic disorder often waxes and wanes in severity without any discernible reason. Some patients experience long periods of spontaneous symptom remission, only to experience a relapse years later.
Key Points
Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden surge of intense fear, accompanied by somatic symptoms.
Panic attacks in children and adolescents are often more dramatic (eg, with screaming, weeping, and hyperventilation) than those in adults.
Panic disorder often waxes and wanes in severity without any discernible reason.
Treat panic disorder with benzodiazepines or SSRIs to control symptoms, then with behavioral therapy.
