Child panic attacks at night can be a terrifying experience. I used to suffer from them as a child but was fortunate enough to gain complete control of my emotions. Nowadays, I have a child and although she is growing up, I still find the attacks quite terrifying. Panic and anxiety disorders are by far the most common mental health conditions that affect adults and children alike.
Unfortunately, it is much more difficult for a child to overcome such a disorder as they are so young. As a parent, one is essentially left with only two options to deal with a child panic attacks at night. One method is to try and comfort them so they will feel better but this only serves to make things worse. The other option is to try and help them to calm down and fall asleep but this again will prove to be ineffective.
What causes panic attacks at night? It is believed that the fear of night time is what triggers these episodes. Children are far more prone to such attacks as they are under less stress and worry than an adult and they are not fully developed emotionally. The theory is that when the child is faced with situations that cause anxiety they will in turn develop these negative traits.
There are many ways to treat child panic attacks at night. Some of these treatments can be very effective but others tend to make matters even worse. For example, if your child is sleeping alone then this can obviously be dangerous. Therefore, you should ensure that they are in a safe place at night. You could use a bed or some blanket to ensure that they are safe.
Another treatment that can work wonders is to teach your child a relaxation and deep breathing technique. This will help to put them into a relaxed state and prevent them from becoming stressed. Child panic attacks at night can be extremely distressing but it does not have to be. There are many ways to treat the problem. However, you should ensure that you take action as soon as you are able to in order to prevent any further incidents.
If you feel that you are experiencing child panic attacks at night then you should not delay. Consult with your doctor immediately and try and find out the root cause of the problem. Also, talk to your child and let them know how you feel. This could just be the thing that stops the attacks from occurring again in the future.