| Subject: Panic Disorder in 4 Year Old
QUESTION:
Panic Disorder in 4 Year Old
My 4 year old seems to be developing a panic
disorder. He becomes very uncontrollably panicked when afraid. Last year
he went out on boats all summer and tried many new rides at the
boardwalk. This year, as Spring began, he has had two episodes of total
panic: the first was on our new boat. Just as we were taking off from
the dock, the engine back-fired and he flipped out to the point of
almost falling in the water to get off the boat and screaming at the top
of his lungs. I was sitting right next to him with my arm around him and
we had quite a time calming him down.
The next episode was at the boardwalk. We put him
on an airplane ride he went on last year, and half-way through he stood
up and started screaming and pulling at the seat belt. Needless to say
he was in the air moving and it took a minute to stop the ride and get
him off. He could have been seriously injured if he had gotten that seat
belt off and jumped - he scared us, the ride operator, and all the other
kids. I think if he wasn't so panicked he might have actually gotten the
seat belt off and jumped.
He has an above average vocabulary and is in
preschool 3 half-days a week. This is his second year in preschool. His
teacher feels he is doing well but is timid at times and does not always
participate.
He has one more year of preschool. Both my husband
and I work full time; dad is 9-5, I work 1-9 and he is either at school,
with nanny, or at a friend's. He does not always play well with others
and we are very concerned for him.
Suzanne Remeta
JAN'S REPLY:
Hi Suzanne,
How frightening for all of you! My heart goes out
to you.
There are many factors that may be playing a part
here. I see them in two categories, so let's look at each one
separately. You'll need to read this through carefully, attending to
what seems to make sense to you, given all you know about your son and
your family circumstances.
One category is physical health. Panic attacks can
be caused by nutritional imbalance and/or allergies. The most important
nutrients, which you may want to give him as a supplement or just see
that they are in the food he eats each day are:
1. calcium and magnesium (in balance)
2. iron (in small doses to avoid constipation)
3. multivitamin and mineral complex with potassium
(especially B Complex, B1 and B6, and vitamin C)
4. Niacinamide
5. Zinc
6. Herbs: skullcap and valerian
Note: If you purchase
supplements, check to be sure they are in a type and dose appropriate for his age.
Recommendations:
1. Visit a doctor
who works well with children (ask friends or call the local La Leche
League for a recommendation).
2. Include in his diet (choose those he prefers,
do not use force):
apricots
asparagus
avocados
bananas
broccoli
blackstrap molasses
brown rice
dried fruit (a handy food to take to preschool and
while doing errands with you)
figs
fish (especially salmon)
garlic
green, leafy vegetables
legumes
raw nuts and seeds (another handy food)
soy products
whole grains (choose whole wheat instead of white
bread, for example)
yogurt
3. If possible, give him small, frequent meals
instead of three/day.
4. Limit meat intake (to avoid hormones).
5. Sugar, carbonated soft drinks, and caffeine
(cola and chocolate) must be avoided. (Your mention of the
"Boardwalk" makes me wonder if there might be too many
temptations there in terms of "junk food".)
6. Keep a food diary to help detect possible
allergies (but remember that it can take several hours for a specific
food to have an effect.)
7. See that he has an opportunity for regular
exercise: walking, bicycling, swimming - whatever he prefers.
8. Be sure his sleep is not interrupted by noise
or other disturbances. Even more important, especially with the daily
separation from both parents, is family co-sleeping - which not only
will help him feel more secure emotionally, but can also serve to
regulate breathing and blood pressure during the night.
9. It's very important to help him learn to manage
an attack, if one does occur despite your efforts, so teach him a
breathing technique. One method is for him to inhale slowly to a count
of four, hold his breath for a count of four, exhale slowly to a count
of four, then do nothing for a count of four - and repeat this until the
attack is over. Remind him that these attacks usually do not last long,
especially if he stays in control. Simply having a specific technique
like this one can give him the feeling that he is in charge and able to
help himself out of these episodes. This will not only help to minimize
the number and duration of the attacks, but help him to feel that he is
competent and skilled enough to deal with stressful events in general.
10. Probably the most important thing you (or the
adult who is present at the time) can do during an attack is to stay
calm yourself (even when you are understandably frightened for his
health and safety). Speak to him in a quiet, calm voice, and in
reassuring words. Anxiety attacks can in themselves become a cause, in
that the fear of having an attack can bring one on. If he is reassured
that this is a passing state of things and that he can control it, that
will give him the assurance he needs to do so. This is such an important
factor that I urge you: be sure that the other adults who care for your
son are capable of remaining calm and reassuring during these episodes.
If they are not, try to find another situation for him (ideally more
time with you).
(Some of the specific remedies listed above are
from the Prescription for Nutritional Healing by James F. Balch,
M.D.)
Now on to the second category: possible
psychological causes.
It can be very stressful for a child this age to
spend so much time away from his parents. Our society fails to recognize
the emotional needs of young children, and at the same time encourages
us to meet our financial needs to the point that other important needs
can be overlooked. If there is any possibility to lessen your work
schedule, I urge you to give this serious consideration. Your child's
behavior could be his way of telling you there is too much worry and stress in
his life.
I hope these suggestions are helpful. Please let
me know how things are going later this month.
All good wishes in this bewildering and worrisome
situation.
Jan |
