I have a nine-year-old patient who has panic attacks, several phobias and generalised anxiety disorder.

Jayne (not her real name) has improved with the help of a professional clinical psychologist and several behavioural strategies.

But the most marked improvement came when her family spent a relaxing camping holiday in a national park for two weeks.

Freed of the usual school stressors, she had no panic attacks or overt signs of anxiety during their break.