Behavioral treatment of panic disorder in children and adolescents

The existence of panic disorder in children and adolescents is currently a highly controversial topic. It has been postulated that children are unable to experience panic owing to cognitive developmental limitations. In a similar manner it was previously believed that children were unable to experience the clinical syndrome of depression. Hence, panic disorder in children and adolescents has been largely ignored and treatment is currently in an experimental phase of development with regard to both psychologic and psychopharmacologic interventions. Behavioral treatment has been successful in treating childhood anxiety disorders, and new treatments are being developed specifically for panic disorder. This paper reviews the controversy surrounding this area and the available treatment literature. A cognitive behavioral treatment program is reviewed and case presentations are included.