I think I taught my son to Panic

[shiv]

I really do. But then again maybe it's genetic. I've got plenty of relatives with panic disorders.

Last year my son looked really upset one evening and I just knew he was on the verge of a panic attack- his first. After a good hour of trying to coax it out of him, he eventually told me- he was terrified. His heart was racing, over breathing etc and he was scared something terrible was happening to him. I managed to calm him and explain but I know I've 'taught' him this. He's scared of flying like me and any twinge or illness he's convinced is something really bad. My God, The poor thing's only 12 years old

Does anyone else have children who've learnt this from them?

Shiv x

[Tracyh]

I find my 10 yr old daughter over reactes to situations like I do. It scares me to think she has learned this from me,and I feel really guilty about it.I have spent years trying to hide my feelings from my children,but children are very clever and they dont miss a thing


Tracyxx

[Meg]

Where does it come from?

COULD ME SON HAVE THE SAME AS ME ?

Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

proactiveness, positivity, persistence, perseverance and practice = progress

[blondeangel]

shiv...
You cannot TEACH your son panic. Panic and anxiety disorders can often be hereditary, but it is not taught. You can develop it in childhood...much of ist neurological....or you can develop it later on as i did after suffering from post traumatic disorder. It sounds to me your son my have panic and anxiety disorder...and they often go together ( are comorbid), and fears/phobias are NOY uncommon in people...at all. Your son my have a phobia of flying. Anxiety, panic and phobias (fear) are 3 separate things. I know this because has recently studied this in my abnormal child psychology class...and have a test coming (yikes). You may want to have your son see a psychiatrist or other speicalist for a diagnosis...depending on how much this interferes with his life. But also, i highly recommend not just seeing one. Not all specialist in the psychology field are the same, and not all use the same approach...and different approaches and techniques work different on different people.
But, DO NOT blame yourself. It sounds like that is what you are doing, but blaming yourself will only hurt you more, and may harm your relationship with your son. I think maybe you should talk with your son about this and see what he thinks..he is 12 years old..he is old enough to understand much of what is going on with himself and what is going on around him....and he has every right to have a say in this matter. I wish you both the best.