Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ Key Features ++ More likely to present after the onset of puberty with a prevalence rate of 2–3% during adolescence Unlike many other anxiety disorders, there is more likely to be a stressor preceding the onset of panic disorder Children who experience separation anxiety disorder are at increased risk for panic disorder +++ Clinical Findings ++ Palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, choking, chest pain or tightness Gastrointestinal distress Dizziness Chills or heat, numbness, or tingling Cognitive symptoms can include feelings of unreality, fear of going crazy, or of dying +++ Diagnosis ++ To meet criteria for a panic attack, at least four of the above symptoms must be present Youth are most likely to present to the pediatrician with fears related to physical symptoms of autonomic arousal, such as a fear that there is something wrong with their heart +++ Treatment ++ Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the cognitions associated with the panic attack as well as the physiologic distressing symptoms Exposure targets may include situations that trigger panic attacks or some of the physiologic symptoms experienced during an attack Patients who do not respond to therapy alone may benefit from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Your Access profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Password? Forgot Username? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth