Author Question: What are the different explanations for the physical symptoms of a panic attack if an adolescent is ... (Read 38 times)

audie · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

What are the different explanations for the physical symptoms of a panic attack if an adolescent is not frightened in the first place?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why are panic attacks rare in young children?

What will be an ideal response?

Chou · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

One possibility is that things other than fear can produce these symptoms. A youngster may be distressed for a particular reason and that stress may increase production of adrenaline and other chemicals that produce physical symptoms of panic. Increased adrenaline may be chemically maintained in the body even after the stress is no longer present. Another possibility is that the youngster may breathe a little too fast (subtle hyperventilation), which also can produce symptoms. Because the over-breathing is very slight, the child gets used to it and does not realize that he or she is hyperventilating. A third possibility is that some youngsters are experiencing normal bodily changes but, because they are constantly monitoring their bodies (as adolescents are prone to do), they notice these sensations far more readily (Barlow, 2002).

Answer to Question 2

One explanation is that young children lack the cognitive ability to make the catastrophic misinterpretations (e.g., my heart is beating rapidly and I'm sitting here watching TV like I always doI must be going crazy) that usually accompany panic attacks (Nelles & Barlow,1988).