daughters struggle with panic

[RFDC1025]

About 3 weeks ago my 14 yr old daughter experienced her first ever panic attack.  For the next week she had one every day.  We got her into see a doctor and the doctor put her on 25 mgs of zoloft a day.  Since then she stopped having them every day, but she still has them at times.  She is an active girl in her school.  She plays softball and plays trumpet in the high school band.  She has had panic attacks during both of these events.  She has had to come out of softball games because of panic and she has had them following band performances.  She has been on the zoloft a little over 2 weeks.   Her softball is just about over, and her basketball practices will be starting in a couple weeks.  She is really worried that these are going to affect her ability to play sports and enjoy her high school years.  As her dad watching these they seem to be getting better and she seems to be doing better at working past them.  She has been able to calm herself down and go back into a softball game after having one.  I am just trying to do the best I can to support her and help her with these.   Anyone who has experienced anything similiar or anyone with any advice?

[Crystal413]

I wanted to suggest that you read a post by JaneToxic dated Sept. 30. Nursegirl gave a terrific comment about anxiety and panic attacks. It will be very helpful for you.

[Crystal413]

She should go to a counselor/Therapist that specializes in anxiety/panic disorders. In order for Therapy to work, get to the route of the problem and teach her coping skills she needs to be seen on a regular basis. It's good your catching this early and wanting to help her. She is young to be on a med and you wouldn't want her to be on it forever. I really think Therapy is key. As adults we try to remove ourselves from situations that we know will bring on an attack or cause anxiety. She may have to do the same. Once therapy starts working I would hope things could go back to normal. Just a suggestion. Try to have her keep a log for the times she gets the panic attack and what she was doing when it happened. Also write down all of the times she had one before she was put on a med. This will be very helpful to her and the Therapist.

[RFDC1025]

She has talked to a counselor on 2 occasions.  We have also had tests done to examine her thyroid and her iron levels, but both came back normal.  Is it possible she has some kind of trigger with band and softball and bring about these anxieties?   She is able to do other physical activities in gym class and outside of school and does not seem to have any problems.  But the last 5 or 6 episodes have been involving band or softball.  In fact, since she has started on medicine she has not had an attack outside of those 2 areas.  Just seems strange...

[remar]

I always recommend therapy first when ever possible. Your daughter is young to be on any of these kinds of meds. I'm so glad to hear they're helping her though. Do she have anxiety any other times besides when she plays sports? Even though she's on meds I highly recommend therapy to help her find out why she has panic attacks and to learn coping skills to deal with them. After being in therapy for awhile she may not need the meds any more.