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Childhood Anxiety Disorders
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Definition
- 1 in 8 children have some kind of anxiety disorder
- Anxiety disorders often coexist with other childhood disease such as depression, eating disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- There are several types of anxiety disorders.
Types of Anxiety Disorders with Symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Children with GAD usually worry excessively about a variety of things such as grades, family issues, relationships with peers, and performance is arts or sports.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Children with OCD is characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts and feelings compelled to repeatedly perform rituals and routines to try and ease anxiety.
Panic Disorder
- Panic Disorder is diagnosed if your child suffers at least two unexpected panic or anxiety attacks; these attacks come on suddenly and for no reason. This is followed by at least one month of concern over having another attack, losing control, or “going crazy.”
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Children with PTSD may have intense fear and anxiety, become emotionally numb or easily irritable, or avoid places, people, or activities after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or life-threatening event
- Children who are most at risk for developing PTSD are children who witness a traumatic event directly, who suffered directly (such as injury or the death of a parent), had mental health problems before the event, and who lack a strong support network.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Most children experience separation anxiety between 18 months and three years old, which is normal. This is normal when the parent leaves the room, goes out of sight of the child, or when it is the child’s first day of school or daycare. If these actions persist after age three and the child has a hard time separating from the parents, this may be considered separation anxiety disorder.
- This disease affects 4 percent of children.
- Most common in children ages 7 to 9
Social Anxiety Disorder
- This disorder is characterized by having an intense fear of social and performance situations and activities; such activities may include being called on in class or starting a conversation with peers.
Selective Mutism
- Selective mutism causes children to refuse to speak in situations where talking is expected or necessary, to the extent that their refusal interferes with school and making friends.
- Children may stand motionless and expressionless, turn their heads, chew or twirl hair, avoid eye contact, or withdraw into a corner to avoid talking.
- Children may behave this way in any situation, however children who act normally at home (in a comfortable setting) and behave withdrawn in social settings may have selective mutism.
Specific Phobias
- A specific phobia is the intense, irrational fear of a specific object, such as a dog, or a situation, such as flying. Common childhood phobias include animals, storms, heights, water, blood, the dark, and medical procedures.
- Symptoms include avoid situations or things that they fear, anxious feelings, crying, tantrums, clinging, avoidance, headaches, and stomachaches. They do not recognize their fear as irrational.
Treatment
- Medication
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Resources
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