It's perfectly normal to be afraid of and sad about becoming a teen and leaving childhood behind and even to shed some tears about it. We've talked about this with several of DS's friends' parents as many of the boys and girls were also going through similar transitions.

Your description of what happened gives me some pause, however. Does your child regularly have panic attacks? Are they new or has he always been anxious? If he often goes into panic mode due to being an anxious person by nature I'd say this is within his normal behavior.

What do you mean by hysterically? Having a god honest cry is fine and normal but did it last crazy long or how else did it differ from a normal crying session? Teens can be dramatic and sometimes they feel like it's the end of the world like when their best friend sits somewhere else for lunch but then things are fine an hour later.

In a similar situation, we set up an appointment with our GP, they administered a screener and can get you a referral if you need one.

I suggest you move sooner rather than later -- there are long waits for services and not enough providers.

Where did Op go?

Does your kid always have attacks or is he just stressed because school is starting up?

Does he have ASD or anxiety in general?

Anonymous wrote:Another panic attack last night. Hysterically crying that he doesn’t want to grow up, doesn’t want summer to end, misses full day day camp (he’s now aged out), little league team etc. is this normal or emotional hormonal changes/puberty?

This is somewhat typical for my 13 year old with multiple diagnoses (ADHD, autism, anxiety). He doesn't want to grow up and is sad about aging out of camp because he's scared of transitions/change.

I'm not saying your son will have these diagnoses, but you should definitely take your son to a therapist and psychiatrist (be prepared for long wait times, so make appointments as soon as you can). He needs support.

I mean, everyone is allowed to have a moment. Puberty brings a lot of changes.

But take him to a cognitive behavioral therapist and also a psychiatrist to be evaluated/treated if he has an anxiety disorder.

My kid has one. Lexapro and cognitive behavioral therapy have made him *so* much happier.

Is your son actually having panic attacks? What are the symptoms?

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This may be normal for him. He’s allowed to have a moment. What’s wonderful is that he is expressing to you his true emotions and he got it all out. He may have been super tired and it was at night? If he’s constantly melting down, that’s a different story. Each human is different. He’s a sensitive guy and is going through a realization that things are changing. You need to listen and talk him through. He needs to be assured of new fun adventures and experiences as he ages up. Can’t you find substitutes for the camp and T-ball that are more age appropriate? Or start him on other new interests. Life is constantly changing. He is learning that and experiencing it. He is getting big emotions from that. Thank you for being a good parent to compassionately listen to him and reassure him. [/quote]

This is unbelievable crap.
OP panic attacks are not typical. They're awful and I can imagine are super scary for a 13 year old, You need to get him professional help. [/quote]

NP. OP, is your son actually having panic attacks, or are you using that phrase as a manner of speech?

I manage anxiety and panic attacks, btw.

Anonymous wrote:“Doesn’t want to grow up”/can’t picture a future as an adult is a yellow to orange flag. It can be a form of passive suicidality.

You say “another” panic attack—is he getting treatment? Panic attacks are really unpleasant and not a part of most people’s day to day.

WTF about the first paragraph?!

Anonymous wrote:This may be normal for him. He’s allowed to have a moment. What’s wonderful is that he is expressing to you his true emotions and he got it all out. He may have been super tired and it was at night? If he’s constantly melting down, that’s a different story. Each human is different. He’s a sensitive guy and is going through a realization that things are changing. You need to listen and talk him through. He needs to be assured of new fun adventures and experiences as he ages up. Can’t you find substitutes for the camp and T-ball that are more age appropriate? Or start him on other new interests. Life is constantly changing. He is learning that and experiencing it. He is getting big emotions from that. Thank you for being a good parent to compassionately listen to him and reassure him.

This is unbelievable crap.
OP panic attacks are not typical. They're awful and I can imagine are super scary for a 13 year old, You need to get him professional help.

It sounds like he may have an anxiety disorder that should be addressed with a therapist and possibly a psychiatrist.

Anonymous wrote:This may be normal for him. He’s allowed to have a moment. What’s wonderful is that he is expressing to you his true emotions and he got it all out. He may have been super tired and it was at night? If he’s constantly melting down, that’s a different story. Each human is different. He’s a sensitive guy and is going through a realization that things are changing. You need to listen and talk him through. He needs to be assured of new fun adventures and experiences as he ages up. Can’t you find substitutes for the camp and T-ball that are more age appropriate? Or start him on other new interests. Life is constantly changing. He is learning that and experiencing it. He is getting big emotions from that. Thank you for being a good parent to compassionately listen to him and reassure him.

This is gibberish. Panic attacks require a therapist. They shouldn’t be normal for anyone.

“Doesn’t want to grow up”/can’t picture a future as an adult is a yellow to orange flag. It can be a form of passive suicidality.

You say “another” panic attack—is he getting treatment? Panic attacks are really unpleasant and not a part of most people’s day to day.

This may be normal for him. He’s allowed to have a moment. What’s wonderful is that he is expressing to you his true emotions and he got it all out. He may have been super tired and it was at night? If he’s constantly melting down, that’s a different story. Each human is different. He’s a sensitive guy and is going through a realization that things are changing. You need to listen and talk him through. He needs to be assured of new fun adventures and experiences as he ages up. Can’t you find substitutes for the camp and T-ball that are more age appropriate? Or start him on other new interests. Life is constantly changing. He is learning that and experiencing it. He is getting big emotions from that. Thank you for being a good parent to compassionately listen to him and reassure him.

No it’s not normal. You need to get a therapist ASAP. I know from experience with my teen DD. The sooner you get professional help the better.

Another panic attack last night. Hysterically crying that he doesn’t want to grow up, doesn’t want summer to end, misses full day day camp (he’s now aged out), little league team etc. is this normal or emotional hormonal changes/puberty?