ABSTRACT
Children and young people who suffer with panic attacks experience an extreme bodily reaction. In line with the changes to our bodies, children and young people may experience and complain of a range of physical difficulties which can make them think they are ill. These may include: trembling, sweating, pounding heart, a feeling that there is something in the throat, dizziness, headache, vomiting, breathlessness, and chest pain. Children and young people who suffer with panic attacks experience an extreme bodily reaction. They are overwhelmed with fear, and the physical symptoms develop extremely quickly. Children and young people who suffer from anxiety disorders that mean they have frequent episodes of physiological change may have consistently high levels of cortisol. Effective treatment for anxiety disorders is very important for the mental and physical health of our children and young people. Four main cycles of thoughts, feelings and behaviours have been identified as maintaining anxiety over time: escape/avoidance, safety behaviours, catastrophising, and hypervigilance.
