Disorders

Childhood Anxiety Disorder

Children and adolescents experience anxiety in their lives, and can suffer from anxiety disorders in much the same way as adults. Stressful life events, such as the loss of a parent, moving, or starting school, can trigger an anxiety disorder. But a specific stressor may not be the precursor to the development of a disorder.

Anxiety symptoms and disorders are the most common type of mental health disorder in children. It usually affects children between the ages of six and 11. Some of the more common anxiety disorders children and teens experience are:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Simple Phobias

Research has shown that if the condition is ignored or not treated early, children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, to have impaired relations with peers, low self-esteem, problems adjusting to work, and to be more vulnerable to alcohol or other substance abuse.

Symptoms

Anxiety is a subjective sense of worry, apprehension, fear and distress, and typically has two components – physical sensations and the emotions of nervousness and fear. While it is normal for children to have these feelings on occasion, when they interfere with activities, such as attending school, making friends, or sleeping, then anxiety is a problem. Anxiety disorders, when severe, can affect a child's thinking, decision-making, perceptions, learning and concentration. They can also impact blood pressure, heart rate, and can cause a variety of bodily complaints, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, ulcers, diarrhea, tingling, weakness, and shortness of breath.

Treatments

Unfortunately, anxiety disorders and their symptoms are difficult to recognize in children. However, once diagnosed, they can be treated effectively with one or a combination of treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, medications, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, family therapy, and parent training.

If you think your child may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety, trained medical help should be sought immediately. Families can turn to child psychiatrists and psychologists and developmental/behavioral pediatricians. These individuals are those who are most often trained in childhood anxiety disorder or in the diagnosis of other childhood mental disorders.