My 8 year old is a big one for a "panic response" to sometimes seemingly random, and often minor things. Difficult page of reading: panic. New maths: panic, except for graphs. Go to a friends house once, fine, next time: panic. More than one child: panic, sometimes. Strange dog in the park: panic, next dog 5min later totally fine. Mosquito: panic. Spider: panic (which is weird, when she was younger they were OK). The things are wide ranging and kind of random.

The thing is, there's almost no warning. It's an instant and wide eyed, flared nostril response. It is definitely a sudden panic. We've tried talking about it, and helping her rationalise her fears. We've tried explaining, and letting her just talk and talk. We've tried to comfort and let her go again (although she usually refuses to separate).

But also, she knows what actual risk and fear is. She likes to skateboard, she comes rock climbing and bouldering with me, she accompanies me hunting and fishing. She sings in a choir in front of people. So she understands what risk and fear feel like, she's gotten hurt skateboarding for example. She got up and went again. So she doesn't lack for exposure to situations that should require the ability to manage your fear.

We've tried teaching her deep breathing, teaching her to mediate, suggesting happy thoughts, and that she takes a breath to process. But nothing seems to work. Honestly it seems to strike so suddenly I doubt she has time for any kind of positive intervention. I'm pretty much at a loss because I don't know what else I can really do, or what else is left to try. At this point I feel like we've covered everything suggested in every article ever. So I figured I'd reach out to the crowd and see if anyone has any ideas? All help and advice gratefully received.