Anxiety and Panic Disorders in Children and Young People
Contents
About anxiety and panic disorders
Definition
An anxiety or panic disorder is diagnosed when you spend much of the day thinking about your fears, your anxieties significantly impair your quality of life or your freedom of movement, if the thought of your anxieties makes you feel depressed, or if you use alcohol or other drugs to help you cope with your anxieties.
What can trigger anxiety and panic disorders
Causes & Triggers
Key characteristics of panic disorder are recurrent severe anxiety attacks (panic attacks) which occur unexpectedly and suddenly, and are not triggered by specific situations that might cause anxiety in ordinary people (e.g. a mugging).
Unlike a phobia, panic attacks do not occur in connection with a phobic situation (e.g. enclosed spaces).
A treacherous illness
Signs, Symptoms and Consequences
Although the symptoms of a panic attack can vary from person to person, all or some of the following are always present:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnoea), feelings of tightness, pain or discomfort in the chest
- Dizziness, a feeling of unsteadiness or a sense of faintness
- Palpitations or a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), trembling, shaking, sweating
- Nausea, abdominal symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, pain
- Numbness, tingling, hot flushes or chills
- Depersonalisation or derealisation
- Fear of dying (e.g. from a heart attack)
- Fear of going mad or losing control
The symptoms develop suddenly, often become more severe within the first 10–20 minutes, and subside after 10–30 minutes, or in some cases only after several hours.
Common consequences of a panic attack:
- a persistent fear of another attack (anticipatory anxiety).
- Recurring attacks, the frequency of which can vary from several times a day or once a week to once a month.
How we can help you
Treatment
The aim of treatment for an anxiety disorder is, in addition to identifying the factors underlying the condition, to reduce avoidance behaviour and to learn how to control or alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
We use a combination of different therapies and techniques.
Our treatment methods
How We Can Treat You and Help You
Diagnostic procedures at the Verus Clinic therefore include a detailed initial medical history, selected psychological tests and the latest neuropsychological assessment methods.
Art Therapy
Treatment methods About the Treatment As a further means of facilitating access to inner psychological processes, art therapy has been successfully integrated into our therapeutic
Group Psychotherapy
Treatment methods About the Treatment Through dialogue with other group participants and by witnessing the inner psychological challenges each individual faces, you will realise that
Individual Psychotherapy
Treatment methods About the Treatment The aim of the one-to-one sessions is to bring about a change in these circumstances through helpful coping strategies, resource-based
Relaxation Treatment
Treatment methods About the Treatment Yoga, qigong and forest bathing bring peace and harmony to body, mind and soul. Relaxation helps you to become more
Trauma Therapy
Treatment methods About the Treatment Trauma arises when our physical and/or psychological integrity is violated and the person affected is left feeling helpless, at the
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Co-payment for those eligible for civil-service health allowance (Beihilfe) under the PEPP scheme: €35.00 per day
