Sudden anxiety and panic attacks

[mummarunner]

Hi,

I am worried about my 7yo dd and hoping for some advice. She has suddenly started experiencing panic attacks before school and other extracurricular activities. She gets herself so worked up that she needs a teacher to come and take her into school or, in the case of extracurricular clubs, either I have to sit with her or she doesn't take part at all. This isn't like her at all as she has always been so happy and confident.

It started 3 weeks ago when she was off school with suspected covid (suspected because the rest of the family tested positive and she had all the symptoms but continued to test negative). During that time she had an episode where she got a lot of phlegm stuck in her throat and couldn't catch her breath. It panicked her, understandably, and now she is worried it is going to happen again. On a related note she does have a problem with large tonsils which she is currently on the waiting list for referral for, so I understand this might be problematic for her as well.

I just don't know how to deal with the panic attacks, not only that but the extreme anxiety that precedes it. She will spend all night worrying about the next day, it is affecting her sleep. Then all morning is spent in floods of tears and she cannot explain why she feels this way. I feel like a monster for dragging her into school but at the same time I believe the only way to overcome her fears is to tackle them head on. Staying at home won't help and nothing I am saying seems to be calming her down.

I am thinking of taking her to the GP but I'm not sure how helpful they will be. I'd like to try and help her myself first but I am not sure what the right thing to say or do is? I can deal with physical illnesses in my children, but this is all so new to me.

Any advice gratefully received, thank you.

Can you teach her basic mindfulness techniques?

• breathing slowly
• 54321 (5 things you can see, 4 you can hear, 3 touch, 2 smell, 1 taste)

My (older) DD likes alphabet listing e.g Anteater, Beaver, Cat, ...

You need to stay calm and not try to use logic when she is all worked up.

Lavender bags, and antihistamine (eg piriton) may help her sleep.
(My DD needs beta blockers and melatonin in the evening to help her relax enough.)

“It started 3 weeks ago when she was off with suspected Covid”- we had this with our DS. He developed health anxiety post Covid and related to Covid. It was both physical and mental and in our case further exacerbated by lockdowns. He became anxious, very lethargic and couldn’t sleep properly - would wake up at night etc and not get back to sleep. The GP said Covid can affect sleep patterns and create insomnia.
When he eventually went back to school they called it Covid anxiety. What helped is doing much less activity (he was too tired anyway, like post viral fatigue) and lots of attachment bonding with us. So 1 to 1 with a parent and we let him sleep in our bed again, that helped. It took a long time but he is much better now. Take all the pressure off and go with what she wants and just make her feel as secure as possible would be my advice.

Sorry for replying so late, but I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. I thought we had turned a corner this week but this morning at drop-off she was worse than ever :(

I will try some of the mindfulness techniques with her, that's a great idea.

Yes, covid anxiety makes sense. It is possible it is connected. We are giving her lots of 1 on 1 time, but not sure if that is exacerbating the attachment issues. I think we just need to be patient and take time. Very difficult when you leave your dd crying at the school gates being led in by a teacher - her little face as she looked back at me this morning, tears streaming, was just heartbreaking.

I am grateful for your comments, thank you.

My god, I could have written this about my ds.

Exactly the same thing, happened after having covid. Keeps feeling nauseous to the point of vomiting and saying that he can't breathe.

Haven't been able to decide if it's genuine illness or panic attack/anxiety.

We are seeing the GP this week about it.

My son seems to be having dizzy spells at night only when trying to sleep. It's after he has had covid early march. He gets so worked up he can't sleep:( seeing the Gp tomorrow as well. Hope your children feel better soon as well.

@stressedmom18

My son seems to be having dizzy spells at night only when trying to sleep. It's after he has had covid early march. He gets so worked up he can't sleep:( seeing the Gp tomorrow as well. Hope your children feel better soon as well.

Sorry to hear your ds has been unwell too. Mine has also been saying he feels faint. Hope you can get some reassurance from the GP.

Sorry to hear you are both having similar problems. I hope you are able to get some answers or at least reassurance from the GP.

Dd has been mixed this week. Monday and today went in fine but yesterday I had to leave her in tears with a teacher at the school gate. Heartbreaking. She has also started coming into our bed about an hour before waking up. I’m just going with it as she clearly needs the closeness. Just worried now that the Easter holidays will take her back a step but we’ll see.

It's so hard isn't it? My dd developed what was looking likely to tip into panic disorder as she was starting to panic about having a panic attack. She also has health anxiety based on fear of vomiting initially. The mindful breathing is also what I'd recommend and practicing whilst relaxed will help your child remember to use it if they start feeling signs of anxiety or panic. Define Fine CIC is an organisation who support parents and carers of children who h experience barriers to attending school, and whilst I'm not suggesting your child is currently, it's often the way things start to go when a child is feeling wobbly and experiencing mental health issues. Will share the link in case it's useful www.facebook.com/groups/773420163493553/

How is everyone? We saw GP and he checked ds over and couldn't see anything untoward except giant tonsils. He has asked for a blood test though - not sure what for but think he mentioned anaemia.

We went to the GP and he seems to think it's anxiety. He is still having dizzy spells especially at night. Poor boy is so scared and unsure of what is going on. I keep trying to reassure him. I wonder if this is an after math of covid rather than anxiety.

@stressedmom18

We went to the GP and he seems to think it's anxiety. He is still having dizzy spells especially at night. Poor boy is so scared and unsure of what is going on. I keep trying to reassure him. I wonder if this is an after math of covid rather than anxiety.

Yes this is what I'm thinking with mine. Keeps feeling sick and being sick - thought it was just anxiety about school but now I'm thinking it's more genuine as continued into Easter hols. Hope things improve for you soon.

I hope your child feels better soon as well. Fingers crossed. Okay I'll keep you posted

It’s so puzzling. Dd has now developed what can only be reflux/indigestion. Tummy aches, nausea and hot feeling in chest. My eldest has suffered reflux since he was a baby so I know the signs! I am certain it’s all anxiety related as she has never had problems like this before. Either that or post covid related. It’s hard to tell and even harder to know what to do to help.

Is she being bullied?

@mummarunner

It’s so puzzling. Dd has now developed what can only be reflux/indigestion. Tummy aches, nausea and hot feeling in chest. My eldest has suffered reflux since he was a baby so I know the signs! I am certain it’s all anxiety related as she has never had problems like this before. Either that or post covid related. It’s hard to tell and even harder to know what to do to help.

DS has had exactly this too. I had severe heartburn like I've never had before as one of my first symptoms of covid so I do wonder if there's a connection. I know of other people who've had the same. Full fat milk or yoghurt meant to help?

How are things now @mummarunner?

My DD8 has been suffering with anxiety recently and had a panic attack at school. It feels very scary.

Things we have tried so far:
We have the book ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ by Poppy O’Neill - it’s a workbook that goes through what anxiety is and different coping techniques
I put together a ‘Pack’ for her which has some fidgets, affirmations and 2 mindful activities - to remind her of the tools she has to help her cope.
School have put through a referral to the Wellbeing Team - not heard anything yet.

How are all your DC doing?
came on to write a v.similar post but found this.
hadn’t linked it to Covid but there is a possibility my dc had it when I did (negative but symptomatic).

So sorry, I meant to reply to this but completely forgot.

I’m pleased to report that things are starting to get a little better. School drop offs are much improved, with just the odd day where she has a wobble. Outside of school activities are getting better too, although this has taken longer.

Things we have done:

1. put a small teddy in her bag each day


2. given her a hanky which has my smell on it! Sounds random but she likes it. I don’t use hankies but had a packet my mum once bought me years ago so I slept with it a couple of nights and dd finds it both unique and comforting to put in her pocket each day


3. we draw tiny hearts on our hands which she can press if she needs to “connect” with mummy


4. as much 121 time as possible


5. positive thinking and a gentle reminder that there are worse situations to be in/what’s the worst that could happen etc


6. walks into school with her big brother

I think this has helped but of course things could have just got better over time anyway.

How is your ds @packedlunches ?

And how is everyone else getting on?

Glad to hear things are better @mummarunner

Mine has been up and down to be honest. But I actually think there is more of a physical thing going on which is leading him to feel anxious so we are going back to the docs.