13 yr old - panic attacks

[scrappydappydoo]

Not sure where to post this… so I’ll try here as it seems to fit.
My dd started her periods last year when she was 12 - every couple of months about a week before her periods due she has these what I can only describe as panic attacks - she can’t breathe, she says her mind races, she shakes uncontrollably and is very sweaty. It takes about 10 minutes of holding her, calmly talking and distracting conversation for her to calm down. It normally happens at night (she’s just had one). We mentioned it to the dr about 6 months ago when we were seeing her about something else unrelated and she dismissed it as hormone fluctuations but it’s quite terrifying as it’s almost like she’s delirious. I’m going to make her a drs appointment but they are like gold dust here at the moment (4 week wait for a phone consultation). Anybody got any advice in the meantime? It’s not something I’ve heard of before…

Have a look at PMDD. DD's symptoms may not be severe enough to be diagnosed with it, I don't know, but it is something often dismissed by HCPs.

Thank you - very interesting- I’ve never heard of it before. She doesn’t have a lot of anger (outside the usual teenage stroppiness) but it’s just these panic attacks that worry me but the problem is she mostly has them at night so no one gets to see them to know how genuine and frightening they are.

One of my daughter's friends had this at the same age. It was hormonal and she was put on birth control pills and they made the panic attacks stop. She also had migraines that were alleviated, too.

Do you have anything through your school - DD is seeing someone through her school's partnership with CAMHS and is having a six week CBT course as well. Giving her ways of dealing with them. It has really helped

That’s interesting aquamarine — Although it’s a little scary to think of dd on the pill - she’s a very young 13yr old (I know it wouldn’t be for birth control but still)
The school have been excellent pastorally over the past year and dd did have a few email exchanges with one of the student support staff who gave us some good techniques to help her calm and focus
I think I need to be quite firm with the doctor if and when I get an appointment.

Before trying the pill try

Vit b complex supplement
Magnesium supplement
Vit d spray
Vit c

A mumsnetter suggested this for my pre menstral teen.

She is (almost) human again and is less stroppy argumentative and anxious.

It's not a miracle cure but is definitely worth a try I saw a change after a week or so.

Definitely explore if there is some low intensity CBT support available. Some psychoeducation and strategies about anxiety and panic can make a huge difference.
Often young people become anxious about the anxiety and once they understand what's happening in their brain and body it reduces the fear and allows them to cope.
There are lots of resources available, one of my favourites on you tube is Anxiety for teens by Anxiety Canada. It gives a really good explanation and makes it normal.

@whenwillthemadnessend

Before trying the pill try

Vit b complex supplement
Magnesium supplement
Vit d spray
Vit c

A mumsnetter suggested this for my pre menstral teen.

She is (almost) human again and is less stroppy argumentative and anxious.

It's not a miracle cure but is definitely worth a try I saw a change after a week or so.

Hi, which dosage and brands did you use please