Anxiety Disorders In Children

Written by Kathy Moran

Anxiety disorders in children and teenagers are often ignored or go undiagnosed. Some anxiety is normal. Children will often get stressed before a test or when doing a school project. Sports activities might increase the level of stress but for the most part this anxiety is healthy.

Anxiety Symptoms And Problems

Anxiety can show up with symptoms of headaches, nausea, nervousness or unreasonable fear or worry. Anxiety can lead to relation problems with peers, low self esteem, frequent absences from school or a strong desire to stay away from school.

Anxiety can also lead to alcohol and drug abuse. It can result in anxiety disorders that follow the child into their adult years.

General Anxiety Disorder

Children and teens can develop several different kinds of anxiety disorders; let’s review a few of them. One of the most common is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD. Children or teens with GAD can show unrealistic worry about any of their classes and grades, sports, or simply being on time.

They may feel very self conscious, tense, or have a need for constant reassurance. Complaints about stomachaches or other aches and pains without any physical problems may be some of the signs of anxiety.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Another of the common anxiety disorders in children is Separation Anxiety Disorder. This disorder shows up when children or teens do not want to be separated from one or both parents, whether it’s to go to school, or stay at a friend’s house or to be alone. Sleep problems may be prevalent and the child may be clingy to a parent.

Separation Anxiety Disorder often goes along with depression and sadness. Withdrawal from normal activities may be one of the anxiety symptoms along with a fear someone they know and love may die. Statistics show that one in every 25 children may have Separation Anxiety Disorder. This disorder can sometimes strike a teenager who has traditionally been independent. It is not simply a disorder seen in toddlers.

Phobias

Phobias are another type of anxiety disorder. Phobia is an unreasonable fear of a specific situation or item. Usually the phobia is linked to only one thing-it may be an animal, heights, storms, an enclosed space or something else that causes a particular anxiety to the child or teen. There is also a social phobia where the person is afraid everyone is unfairly criticizing or judging them in a mean way.

The child will try to avoid whatever is causing the phobia and this may cause a restriction on their life in several ways.

Panic Attacks

Panic Attacks are another anxiety disorder. Panic attacks can happen in many different situations. Just leaving their home may cause a panic attack in a child or teen. Panic attacks are caused by intense fear.

The attacks may cause sweating, pounding heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, or the horrible feeling of immediate death. A young person may live in fear of another panic attack and wish to avoid any situation that may cause it to happen again. This may present a problem of not wanting to go to school or not wanting to leave their parents presence.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is another anxiety disorder that can affect children and teens. OCD is when a repetitive thought or action takes over in the person’s life. It can be as simple as a constant need to wash their hands or continually counting objects, or arranging and rearranging things.

General Information

Researchers have found some interesting facts in their research on child and teen anxiety. First, if a child or teen is quite shy and reserved in unfamiliar surroundings, they may be more prone to anxiety disorders. Second, we should watch a child when they are 6-8 years old for signs of anxiety as this might be an indicator of anxiety disorders later in life. And third, if there is a parent with anxiety disorders a child or teen is much more likely to develop anxiety disorders too. However, researchers are not certain if environmental, biological, or both conditions cause the anxiety disorders.

Treatment

There are a number of things that can be done for a child or teen that has anxiety problems. After they are properly diagnosed of course, they might be sent for cognitive or behavioral therapy to change the ways they are thinking or behaving in problem areas. Other treatment options might include relaxation techniques or biofeedback.

Family therapy or parent training may be suggested and if the disorder is very severe, medication may be needed. The very first thing you should do if you notice the signs of anxiety disorder is take the child or teen to a medical professional for a complete check-up. Get a diagnosis then choose the best treatment that fits the child or teens need.

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