Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

Why is the diagnosis of Panic Disorder in children viewed as controversial?

1. Children have fewer fears than adults

2. Children are not capable of making internal, catastrophic interpretations of physical symptoms

3. Children's nervous systems are underdeveloped

4. They have less life experience

The correct answer is: Children are not capable of making internal, catastrophic interpretations of physical symptoms

The diagnosis of Panic Disorder in children is viewed as controversial primarily because children may not have the cognitive development necessary to make internal, catastrophic interpretations of physical symptoms that are characteristic of this disorder. Panic Disorder often involves the experience of intense fear or discomfort coupled with thoughts that they might be having a medical emergency or losing control. Children, particularly younger ones, may not fully understand their physiological responses to anxiety or stress. They might not connect their physical sensations, such as a racing heart or shortness of breath, with the concept of a panic attack in the same way that adults do. This leads to the debate among clinicians and researchers about whether what appears to be panic attacks in children are actually that, or if they are better understood as manifestations of other developmental or contextual issues. In contrast to this, the idea that children have fewer fears than adults does not necessarily relate directly to the complexities of diagnosing Panic Disorder. While it is true that fears may manifest differently in children, this does not preclude the possibility of experiencing panic attacks. Furthermore, asserting that children's nervous systems are underdeveloped overlooks the fact that children can still experience anxiety and fear at high levels, even if their physiological responses differ from those of adults. Lastly, the concept of having less life