well how old is she? and the adults need to talk to her and assure her that it is ok and they will be back...my kids would worry too and I just talked to them and told them that I would NEVER leave them alone and if I had to leave they would be home with daddy and I would be right back....
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I think you should take her to a child counselor, if you havent already. children CAN have panic attacks.
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There are several anxiety disorders that are not necessarily caused by a specific event, and that can start early. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, for example, generally starts in childhood or adolescence. Any of these anxiety disorders can cause panic attacks.

I couldn't say for sure that your niece has an anxiety disorder, or if she does, which one it is (separations anxiety perhaps?) but to answer your question as to whether or not children can have panic attacks, the answer is yes.

My advice would be to talk to her doctor and see what's going on.
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I had panic attacks as a child. It started suddenly and then ended suddenly as well. The first one I remember was when I was staying at a friends house. I think I was about 7 or 8, maybe 9. Her parents said they would take us to the movies the next day if her room was clean so we spent ALL day cleaning EVERYTHING! That stayed at her house that night and woke up not being able to breathe. I just remember thinking that something was going to happen and we wouldn't be able to go to the movies. I thought I was going to die. I really in my heart felt that someone was going to mess up her room, and I wouldn't be able to survive. Even at that age ... it felt like the worst possible thing was happening to me and my life would end, or never be the same because of something so far-fetched and un-important. Normally when this would happen I would wake someone up (It almost always happened at night, only once during the day that I remember) and they would talk me down. Asking what's wrong with you? What are you talking about? I'd come to my senses and realize that what I was worried about wasn't real, but I still felt like I was dieing because of all the crying and being unable to breathe. The sensation can be most simply described as feeling as though your jumping out of your skin, being unable to breathe, sometimes crying, and just an overall feeling of dread. I'm glad I grew out of it. I only remember telling anyone about it happening 3 times (since they were mostly at night) because I thought I was crazy, and I thought I would get in trouble. I wouldn't say that I was particularly traumatized as a child. However, I was very stressed because of my parents arguments. There was probably a bit of emotional abuse. I was just always on eggshells in my home ... I think this says a lot for why I had panic attacks. However There could be many reasons for a child to have panic attacks. A child doesn't have to necessarily be "traumatized" panic attacks can still present if a child is in a stressful situation for an extended amount of time. Whatever the reason I think you should take her to talk to someone. Whether there is some stresser you can't see or an underlying disorder, it is good you are recognizing this problem. I am thankful everyday that my panic attacks subsided on their own. I know I wouldn't have been offered help, no one recognized the problem, although they SHOULD have! In the long run I believe it will be best for you to investigate this problem. Even if you just start out by asking the guidance counselor at school to speak with her, if she is truly having panic attacks ... it's a step. And a step in the right direction.
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My life, and opinion.

yes i used to have them when i was younger
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Children as young as 4 have been diagnosed with axiety disorders. Your neice may be suffering from some type of axiety-related problem, or she may just have an unusual way of expressing her frustration or disappointment with her current situation. Her parents should talk to her doctor about this behavior if it is impacting everyone's lives to a stressful degree.
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Nanny for 6 years.

I think that this is quite common in younger children because they don't want to "miss out" on ANYTHING. My daughter is 4 and she acts this way. I do believe that children also suffer from panick and/or anxiety attacks just like adults do, maybe even worse. They don't know how to express their feelings at that age so they do the only thing they can and that is to cry. My daughter has never suffered a traumatic experience but she may have had a nightmare or an experience that I am not aware of. I have found the best way to deal with it is to just talk to them calmly and point out the bright side.
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Should take her to a child psychiatrist or some kind of doctor. Get her checked out. Maybe she just needs to know that everything is normal and everything will be alright. Try reassuring her somehow?
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its hard to believe that this could happen if nothing tramatic has happened. Has therapy been tried. i think sumthing has happened that nobody knows. she is bottled up. therapy would do sum good. I hop eu get it figured out
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First thing, quit letting her join in on the morning coffee.
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They can ....but often it is their way of trying to pull your leg.....to have their way.
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