Panic attacks can happen to anyone, and when a person has more than one in a short time frame, they may be diagnosed with panic disorder. If a person experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, along with having a fear of future attacks or making efforts to avoid them, they may meet criteria for panic disorder. 

Panic attacks are different from general anxiety in that they only last a few minutes, up to a half hour, but their symptoms are intense. Anxiety disorders are common among teens, and panic attacks are particularly upsetting. Teens who have had one or more panic attacks may find relief from psychotherapy. A therapist can help them understand their symptoms, address root fears, and work on coping skills to help them get through future panic attacks or potentially avoid them.

In this article, we’ll share nine signs your teen should see a therapist for their panic attacks.

9 signs it’s time to see a therapist for panic attacks 

Panic attacks can leave a person feeling shaken for hours afterward, and the fear of having another one can start a cycle. They’re often accompanied by other anxiety symptoms, like constant worry or hypervigilance in triggering situations. If your teen has more than one panic attack or if they have other symptoms before or after the episode, they may need professional treatment to find relief.

The following are some signs your teen may benefit from seeing a therapist for their panic attacks:

• Panic attacks occur frequently or unpredictably.

If your teen is having panic attacks regularly, or if they come as a surprise, they may benefit from seeing a therapist. Your teen’s therapist can help them work on coping techniques and create a personalized plan to manage their symptoms. Their therapist can also help them understand their patterns and the sources of their anxiety.

• Your teen begins avoiding activities due to fear of panic.

Avoiding anxiety triggers tends to make panic attacks worse, and it can impact your teen’s quality of life. Once this cycle has begun, a therapist can help your teen learn how to approach their fears in a safe way.

• Academic performance or social relationships suffer.

If your teen’s panic attacks are affecting their grades or their social life, that’s a clear sign that they need help. It may seem like these problems are “all in their head,” but panic disorder is a very real condition, and effective treatments are available.

• Physical symptoms become severe or concerning.

Panic attacks can cause physical symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, chills, shaking, and more. Evidence-based therapies can help reduce these symptoms to keep your teen comfortable and healthy. 

• Your teen develops agoraphobia or refuses to go to school.

Panic attacks are one of the main reasons behind school refusal in teens. They may experience significant discomfort during class, lunch hour or downtime with peers. Or they may fear specific situations like being in an enclosed space or taking the bus. 

• Sleep patterns are significantly disrupted.

When the nervous system is on high alert or when a teen is feeling anxious about upcoming plans, it can affect their ability to get restful sleep. This creates a spiraling effect that makes their anxiety even worse. A therapist can help your teen practice some ways to self-soothe and identify alternative thoughts they can focus on when winding down at night.

• Your teen expresses feelings of losing control or “going crazy.”

This type of intense distress is common in young people who have panic disorder. Therapy can help your teen anchor themselves in what’s real and true so they no longer feel like they’re losing control.

• Family relationships become strained.

Unless they’ve had one themselves, most parents don’t know how to help their teens through a panic attack. Watching your teen struggle can be stressful and frustrating. Helping your teen find a therapist and getting involved in their treatment can help you relax, knowing that you’re not alone and they have the professional support they need.

• Other mental health symptoms emerge alongside panic.

Panic attacks can sometimes be a symptom of another mental health condition. If your teen starts showing other symptoms such as repetitive behaviors, depression symptoms, constant anxiety, or high energy and elevated mood, you should seek a mental health assessment.

Lightfully Teen is here to help your child find relief from panic attacks

Sometimes panic attacks can be isolated incidents. In many cases, people will go on to have more of them. There are evidence-based treatments that can help. Most teens will benefit from psychotherapy, and some may need medication to help manage their symptoms. Early intervention for panic attacks can prevent them from controlling your teen’s life and limiting their potential.

At Lightfully Teen, our licensed clinicians provide personalized treatment that combines multiple types of therapy. Teens with panic disorder may receive different forms of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Our clinicians use a framework called Precision Care Model (PCM) to combine the most effective aspects of these treatments into an individualized care plan.

Are you concerned about a teen in your life who’s having panic attacks? We can help. Contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today.