What Are Anxiety Disorders?
Young people with an anxiety disorder
typically are so afraid, worried, or uneasy that
they cannot function normally. Anxiety disorders
can be long-lasting and interfere greatly with a
child's life. If not treated early, anxiety
disorders can lead to:
- missed school days or an inability to
finish school
- impaired relations with peers;
- low self-esteem
alcohol or other drug use;
- problems adjusting to work situations
- anxiety disorder in adulthood
What Are the Signs of Anxiety
Disorder?
There are a number of different anxiety
disorders that affect children and adolescents.
Several are described below.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Children and adolescents with this disorder
experience extreme, unrealistic worry that does
not seem to be related to any recent event.
Typically, these young people are very
self-conscious, feel tense, have a strong need
for reassurance, and complain about stomachaches
or other discomforts that don't appear to have
any physical basis.
Phobias. A phobia is an
unrealistic and excessive fear of some situation
or object. Some phobias, called specific
phobias, center on animals, storms, water,
heights, or situations, such as being in an
enclosed space. Children and adolescents with
social phobias are terrified of being criticized
or judged harshly by others. Because young
people with phobias will try to avoid the
objects and situations that they fear, the
disorder can greatly restrict their lives.
Panic Disorder. Panic disorder
is marked by repeated panic attacks without
apparent cause. Panic attacks are periods of
intense fear accompanied by pounding heartbeat,
sweating, dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of
imminent death. The experience is so scary that
the young person lives in dread of another
attack. He or she may go to great lengths to
avoid any situation that seems likely to bring
on a panic attack. A child with panic disorder
may not want to go to school or be separated
from his or her parents.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
A child with obsessive-compulsive disorder
becomes trapped in a pattern of repetitive
thoughts and behaviors. Even though the child
may agree that the thoughts or behaviors appear
senseless and distressing, the repetitions are
very hard to stop. The compulsive behaviors may
include repeated hand washing, counting, or
arranging and rearranging objects.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can develop in
children or adolescents after they experience a
very stressful event. Such events may include
physical or sexual abuse; being a victim of or
witnessing violence; or being caught in a
disaster, such as a bombing or hurricane. Young
people with post-traumatic stress disorder
experience the event again and again in strong
memories, flashbacks, or troublesome thoughts.
As a result, the young person may try to avoid
anything associated with the trauma. They may
also overreact when startled or have difficulty
sleeping.
How Common Are Anxiety
Disorders?
Anxiety disorders are among the most common
mental, emotional, and behavior problems that
occur during childhood and adolescence. As many
as 1 in 10 young people may have an anxiety
disorder. Among adolescents, more girls than
boys are affected. About half of the children
and adolescents with anxiety disorders also have
a second anxiety disorder or other mental or
behavioral disorder, such as depression.
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Who Is at Risk?
Researchers have found that a person's basic
temperament may play a role in some childhood
and adolescent anxiety disorders. For example,
some young people tend to be very shy and
restrained in unfamiliar situations. This may be
a sign that the child or adolescent is at risk
for developing an anxiety disorder.
Researchers also suggest watching for signs of
anxiety disorders when children are between the
ages of 6 and 8. At this age, children grow less
afraid of the dark and imaginary creatures and
more anxious about school performance and social
relationships. High levels of anxiety in a child
aged 6 to 8, therefore, may be a warning sign
that the child may develop anxiety disorder
later. A child's fears may change as a child
ages, which complicates research.
Studies suggest that children or adolescents are
more likely to have an anxiety disorder if their
parents have anxiety disorders. However, the
studies do not prove whether the disorders are
caused by biology, environment, or both. More
studies are needed to clarify whether or not
anxiety disorders can be inherited. The Federal
Government's National Institute of Mental
Health, a part of the National Institutes of
Health, is pursuing a wide range of studies on
anxiety disorders in children, adolescents, and
adults.
What Help Is Available for a
Young Person With an Anxiety Disorder?
Children and adolescents with anxiety
disorders can benefit from a variety of
treatments and services. After an accurate
diagnosis, possible treatments include:
- cognitive-behavioral treatment (where
young people learn to deal with fears by
modifying the way they think and behave)
- other individual therapy
family therapy
- parent training
- medication
While cognitive-behavioral approaches
are effective in treating some anxiety
disorders, medications work well with others.
Some anxiety disorders benefit from a
combination of these treatments.
In general, more studies are needed to find
which treatments work best for the various types
of anxiety disorders.
What Can Parents Do?
If parents or other caregivers notice
repeated symptoms of an anxiety disorder in a
child or adolescent, they should:
Talk with the child's doctor. The doctor can
help determine whether the symptoms are caused
by an anxiety disorder or by some other
condition. Then, if needed, the doctor can refer
the family to a mental health professional.
Look for a mental health professional who has
training and experience:
- working with children and adolescents
- using cognitive-behavioral or behavior
therapy
- prescribing medications for this
disorder or, if appropriate,
cooperating with a physician who prescribes
medications
The mental health professional should be
willing to work closely with the parents as well
as with the child or adolescent and his or her
school.
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