Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disease that causes unexpected panic attacks to happen over and over again. These attacks are very scary or uncomfortable times that can reach their peak within minutes. Symptoms include heartbeats, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and a feeling that something bad is about to happen.

When it comes to teenagers, panic disorder may cause a different set of problems than it does for adults. Here are some things to remember:

1. Identifying signs: Parents should know what a panic disorder in a teen looks and feels like. There may be sudden and repeated panic attacks, too much worry and fear of having another attack, avoiding places or situations because of fear of having a panic attack, and physical signs like headaches or stomachaches.

2. Getting help from a professional: It's important to talk to a mental health professional if you think your teen might have a panic problem. They can do a thorough review and come up with a correct diagnosis. Most of the time, the first step to successfully managing panic disorder is to work with a therapist who has experience treating anxiety disorders.

3. Choices for treatment: Most of the time, therapy and, in some cases, drugs are used to treat panic disorder in teens. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often suggested because it helps people understand their ideas, feelings, and actions during panic attacks. It also gives them ways to deal with and lessen their worry.  The TWO TENTS IOP utilizes 3 evidence-based therapy modalities:  DNA-V (Acceptance Commitment Therapy for Adolescents), DBT-S (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy - Skills) and Exposure Therapy.

4. Parents play a key role in helping their teens with panic disorder by creating a supportive environment. Set up a place where they can talk about their experiences and feelings without feeling judged. When things are tough, encourage open conversation and reassurance.

5. Helping your teen live a healthy life by making changes to his or her habits can also be helpful. Encourage regular exercise, enough sleep, a well-balanced diet, and ways to deal with stress, like deep breathing routines or mindfulness.

Each teen's feelings and symptoms are different, and each case of panic disorder can be different in terms of how bad it is and how it shows up. It is important to work closely with experts to make a personalized treatment plan.

If you're worried about your teen's mental health, you might want to talk to a mental health professional.  TWO TENTS Adolescent Services can help.