Panic attacks “Grounding skills are important, otherwise the young person might not be able to take on board what you’re saying to them. Skills like breathing naturally and noticing senses.” Teddy, 17 years old A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense apprehension, fear, or terror. They can begin suddenly, develop rapidly, and can appear inappropriate for the circumstance. It is common for people to have a panic attack at some time in their lives, however few go on to have repeated attacks, and fewer still develop panic disorder (269). Although anyone can have a panic attack, people with anxiety disorders are more prone to them. Some panic attacks don’t appear to be triggered by anything specific, whilst others may be associated with a frightening situation, such as a social setting for a young person with a social phobia. Signs There are some medical conditions that have symptoms similar to panic attacks, for example arrhythmias of the heart or an asthma attack. It is therefore important for the young person to have a medical assessment to determine whether they are experiencing a panic attack or a physical illness. A young person having a panic attack will experience several of the following symptoms at the same time: – Palpitations or increased awareness of heartbeat – Sweating – Trembling or shaking – Feeling of choking, shortness of breath, or smothering – Chest pain or discomfort
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