My 12 yr old Daughter has started having panic attacks while sleeping...

Adam - posted on 01/17/2013

Trust me, with this I used live with night terrors of panic attacks and racing heart, and a fear dying feeling as well, Afraid to go to sleep. Childhood to adult life. One I found a cure on my own. Believe my story it's very real! Have her eat (Hershey's special dark chocolate. Candy bar ) 4 to 5 hours before bedtime. If its works? She will need to have it as part of your diet rest of her life. By now you must be thinking this guy is crazy! But this candy has amazing properties in stopping night terrors of panic attacks. So help her, do not substitute with any other! Remember Hershey's special dark chocolate candy bar. I've been 4yr night terrors free! If it works for your daughter? You can thank me by spreading cure of Hershey's special dark chocolate. To others in need. God bless. Sign Adam,

Nechelle - posted on 12/19/2012

I have a ten y/o son who has panic attacks while he sleep. He goes to bed at 8:30 every night and between 10 and 10:30 he comes up to my room in a full blown panic attack/ night terror. I make him sit on my bed, and i make him ground himself (grounding is when you make them *feel* their surroundings i.e. put their hands on the bed and ask them what they are touching) I ask him to identify what color my shirt is, what color the dog is, what color is the bedspread, what color is the sky. Stuff that he already knows, stuff that he is familiar with, and stuff that he has to recognize at that moment. Once I get him talking to me I stroke his arms from his shoulders to his hands which are still on my bedspread and repeat this process until i fell his shoulders relax. During the day we practice screaming STOP inside of our head. Not out loud. I tell him AS LOUD AS HE CAN inside of his head, not out loud, the word STOP. What this does is it stops the brain from over producing Seratonin and it distracts the brain from the adrenaline rush that is going on inside of your child. If you get a chance, practice with your daughter during the day before she goes to bed. Grounding herself and screaming the word STOP in her head. When her panic starts speak in a VERY soft voice, the more worked up you get the more worked up they get. Make sure she keeps her eyes closed. If she opens then she is seeing her terror. No bueno. Also remove any stimuli i.e. turn off the tv and the light, anything bright, noisy, or distracting, while she is grounding herself and screaming stop.

Hope this helps, let me know if it does.

Love Chelle
303-512-3587

Dani - posted on 04/12/2012

I never told my parents, but I used to wake up every night completely paralyzed and unable to breathe until I passed out. I am 46 now and just realizing that I was already having panic attacks as a child, (from about 4 yrs old until 12) Is it possible that was panic attacks?? I need to know if anyone can offer advice. Thank you, Dani

Deanna - posted on 10/26/2011

My daughter is ten and she has panic attacks to but hers are during the day,, It is very difficult to deal with I have her seeing a counsler and her pedatrician ahs put her on some med's although nothing seems to be helping... just keep trying to be calm and reasure her that this will not last forever... I realy think it has to do with puberty and hormone levels... My cousins son had panic attacks during the night for seven years and he finally grew out of it at 13 ... I wish I could help you out more but I know it's just nice to know my daughter is not alone. Good luck to u!

Renee - posted on 03/05/2010

Thank you very much Angela. We have been to her pediatrician and he had a sleep study done which was normal and we had already started counciling and he was on board with that too he just wants the therapist to keep him updated but I am going to have her replaced this week because my daughter does not like her and informed me yesterday that she will never talk to her. She has been to a therapist before and knows the rules that whatever is said in their is not repeated to us unless she wants us to know and tells us or if she threatens to harm herself, but that therapist left just a few months ago so I hope that she will like the next one as much as she liked the first one and I will bring up the Pavor Noctumus when we go to her appointment on Monday... but I want to say that all of you have helped a great deal... Thank You sooo much!!!

Angela - posted on 03/04/2010

Renee,
Pavor noctumus (nocturnal panic attacks) is a very specific type of sleeping disorder in children. It is defined as sudden awakening with crying, strong anxiety symptoms, short breathening and sweat. This problem occurs during the deep phrase of sleep (phrase IV) They usually return at the same time during the night. Before your daughter goes to bed sit down and discuss her day and if she has any stressful situations during the day try and find ways for her to handle it to reduce her stress level before she goes to sleep. Also, by regulating her diet you can reduce those attacks. Reducing caffeine, excessive amounts of sugar found in cola, chocolate and tea may help. Also, keep in mind that life changing events, and depression can also be a contributing factor in her attacks. If these attacks continue then seek help from your pediatician.

Renee - posted on 03/04/2010

I just wanted to let you know that I talked to my daughter today about the possibility of her being touched inappropriately and I had to laugh cause she said and I quote "" I was wondering when you were going to get the nerves up to ask me that and the answer is no Mom and I would tell you if I had so you can quit worrying about that now"" What could I do??? I am still worried about the panic attacks and they are still terrifying to all of us but thanxs to my Daughter I now know that she was not ever touched and I guess from now on I should just kick my nerves to the curb and just talk to her and ask her.... Least to say she taught me a very important lesson today. Isn't it amazing what are kids can teach us if we just listen to them?? Oh and as regards to her therapist she went to her school today and my daughter told me flat out she does not like her and will not talk to her so I will be going to her appt next week by myself and tell her and her supervisor that we want a different therapist. She will not beable to help her so she needs to be replaced with someone who can.. Even if I have to go thru a million of them.

Gina - posted on 03/04/2010

Renee I suffer from panic attacks and know how bad they can get,but hang in there because once you find out the reason for them and get help it does get better.What also concerns me is your daughter screaming get him off me and make him go away, ask her who she means ,this could be the cause and your daughter is too afraid to talk .Sometimes it takes a while to find the right dr but dont give up, and good luck with this i hope your daughter gets better soon

Renee - posted on 03/03/2010

Thanxs everybody... Ya'll have been great and giving me great advice and I am going to try it all... I will get the book because the Dr said give her benadryl to sleep but it is drying out her nose and causing nose bleeds... I called today about that to see if we could change it but haven't got any calls back... and yes she does need a new therapist.... and I will try the ways suggested to regulate her breathing cause it is very hard to get her head between her legs when she is hyperventilating in her sleep... Once again thank you all!!!!!

Denise - posted on 03/03/2010

hi renee i know excatly what your girl is going thru had severe panic attacks a couple of yrs ago.If she dosent like the therapist get her someone she can trust i found that out the hard way two believe me it makes all the difference.also a great way of regulaqting her breathing is get her to cover her mouth with her sleeve it could be her house coat or pillow tell her to breathe slowly like this until she can get her breathing to regulate to me it was likje a security blanket. i know how terrible it is its terrifying both to experience them and see someone you love go thru this just let her find her own way with your guidence listen best of luck i hope your girl gets some relief soon denise

Mindy - posted on 03/03/2010

Definitely change therapists!!! Also, I like to use herbal supplements for my kids when they have anxiety (panic attacks and anxiety disorders run in my family). If she's not sleeping well, that will increase her anxiety. Valerian root and skull cap have really helped my kids (check with your pharmacist if she's on any other medications BEFORE using any herbs), they help with anxiety and sleep, without the side effects of medicinal or even OTC sleep aids and can be found at any health food store. There are other herbs that may help as well, or even aromatherapy oils for relaxation (Lavender oil is a great one to put in a bath before bed). I use a book called "Prescription for Natural Healing" that gives lists of herbs, vitamins, minerals and foods that can help with just about any problem you may be having, and it is my favorite book!!! Hang in there and good luck!

Renee - posted on 03/02/2010

Yea she is supposed to see both my kids at there schools tom and if they still feel the same I have a good friend who has a therapist she recommended... If she takes the insurance if and if not I will find one that will... I know for a fact if they aren't comfortable and they don't like them then they won't be open with them... My Bff and I drove her therapist nuts cause we hated him.... I just want her better and happy... She seems so happy during the day bit night time lately is one big nightmare for all of us....

Angel - posted on 03/02/2010

Change Therapist for starters if she does not like her then it more than likely will not help she has to be comfortable I went thru a couple for my 10 year old diff issue though but finally have one he loves we have had the same one for 3 years now it will be a start there.

Renee - posted on 02/28/2010

She says she is doing great in school... I even asked her if she had been touched inappropriatly and she said no... She doesn't remember anything the next day but sometimes she'll remember a bad dream but not the attacks,,, She was even hyperventilating one night... The night of the sleep study was the worst... Screaming she couldn't breathe and she could and then started screaming..."Mommy get him off me... Mommy make him go away" over and over..... and it tears me apart cause this isn't like a booboo I can kiss and make better.... and i am giving this therapist one more week and if she still doesn't like her I will find a new one... I see a therapist and know for a fact if u don't like and trust them then they can not help u.... and I am worried about the sleep walking... what if she is in one of her attacks and gets out of the house????? I guess I am going to have to put up those lock bars high up so she can't reach them.....

Brenda - posted on 02/28/2010

Has she told you if she was having dreams that she could remember? Is she having problems in school? My son suffers from an anxiety disorder so i know how hard it is to see your child go through stuff like that. I know it took taking my son to three different couselers before he found one he liked and trusted.