Panic attacks in children are more underreported than any other group in the populace. Adults have a tendency to dismiss or not understand when or if children are suffering from panic attacks. When panic attacks are not properly diagnosed in the early years of life, they evolve into being a problem in adulthood. Panic attacks in children stem from a number of mitigating factors such as: worry, terror (acute and extreme fear), and dread of the future or perceived future threats.

Symptoms that ensue in children from attacks are: a feeling of dread, rapid heart rate, vertigo, inability to breathe properly, a case of the "shakes," feeling everything is surrealistic, and an unrealistic
fear of death or insanity. Generally, adolescents are more prone to experience these attacks, but they can be evidenced in younger children too. A family history of attacks increases the odds that a child will experience this debilitating disorder.

Children undergoing regular attacks are adversely affected in their friendships, studies, and developmental processes. The attacks can take on the form of agoraphobia causing the distressed child to fear leaving parents, be anxious about going to school or other places, and have a general anxiety that lingers even when they're not experiencing an attack. Teens suffering from this condition may become suicidal or turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the effects of the attacks.

The reason the attacks go so undetected in children is because doctors have a tough time pinpointing the cause of them. Often children will not display an attack in a doctor's office. Also, children may be fearful to admit that they are having the attacks and may be embarrassed as a direct result. This is when it becomes necessary for parents to be specific in informing the doctor about what the child is experiencing when undergoing an attack. If parents and doctors work together, there are many methods and medications that effectively stem the attacks in children.