Panic Disorder in Children

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? NE
Is it more common among children? Lower/rarer before adolescence
Are children at higher risk? Age-dependent
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? High
Does it show up differently among children? Yes
How might it look different? Physical complaints, fear/avoidance; may struggle to label panic sensations
What commonly occurs alongside it? Separation anxiety; other anxiety disorders
What can it be confused with? Separation anxiety; specific phobia; medical conditions
Common screening tool Age-appropriate panic assessment
Separate screening tool for children DSM-5-TR Severity Measure for Panic Disorder—Child 11–17 where age appropriate
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