Children & Anxiety Disorders

Types of Anxiety Disorders Suffered by Children
and Its Effects on Children

Although the Symptoms of Anxiety experienced by children and adults are almost the same, children manifest and respond to those symptoms differently. This can lead to difficulty in diagnosis.

Moreover, it also becomes difficult to determine whether a child’s behavior is “just a passing phase,” or if constitutes of a disorder. There is a growing consensus developing in medical literature that many “adult” psychiatric disorders, in all likelihood, have their root or first manifestations in childhood and if they are left untreated these Anxiety Disorders are likely to progress to adult versions.

Young people with an Anxiety Disorder typically are so afraid, worried, or uneasy that they cannot function normally. Anxiety Disorders are among the most common of childhood disorders. They can be long-lasting and therefore can seriously disrupt a child’s life.

Figures suggest 13% of American children have some or the other kind of Anxiety disorder. 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 drug abuse
• Problems adjusting to work situations
• And Anxiety Disorder in adulthood

There are several types of Anxiety Disorders. We are discussing those most common in children here.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Children with GAD have persistent fears and worries almost about everything under the sun: school, sports, reaching on time, even natural disasters. They are generally restless, irritable, tense or easily tired and they may have trouble concentrating or sleeping.

These children are usually eager to please others and may be “perfectionists” who are dissatisfied with their own less-than-perfect performance.

Separation Anxiety

Children with Separation Anxiety Disorder suffer from intense anxiety about being away from home or caregivers that affects their ability to function socially and in school. Their condition compels them to stay at home or be close to their parents.

Children with this disorder are inclined to worry a lot about their parents when they are away from them. They also have a tendency to cling to their parents, refuse to go to school, or are scared to sleep alone.

Repeated nightmares about separation and physical symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches are also common in children with separation anxiety disorder

Phobic Disorder

Phobias are intense, overwhelming fears connected to specific objects or situations. Most children have fears, but they do not get in the way of their everyday life. Children and adolescents with Phobias may avoid some normal activities and miss important life experiences.

There are two main kinds of Phobias in childhood and adolescence:

Specific Phobia

Specific or Simple Phobias involve fear of a particular thing such as an animal, heights or injections. Children with Specific Phobias often outgrow them. Adolescents with Specific Phobias may have panic attacks.

Social Phobia

Social Phobia usually begins in the mid-teens and typically does not affect young children. Young people with this disorder are excessively fearful of criticism or embarrassment in front of other people, especially people he or she does not know well.

A common Social Phobia is fear of public speaking. This fear is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, blushing, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or muscle tenseness.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

It is estimated that at any given time, 1 to over 3% of adolescents are experiencing symptoms of OCD. 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.

Another type of OCD is Tourette's syndrome, which is more likely to be present in boys and in children who develop OCD at a younger age. Children and adolescents with OCD are also more likely to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, opposititional behaviour, separation anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Children who experience a physical or emotional trauma such as witnessing a shooting or disaster, surviving physical or sexual abuse, or being in a car accident may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Children are more easily traumatized than adults. An event that may not be traumatic to an adult—such as a bumpy plane ride—might be traumatic to a child. A child may “re-experience” the trauma through nightmares, constant thoughts about what happened, or re-enacting the event while playing.

A child with PTSD will experience symptoms of general anxiety, including irritability or trouble sleeping and eating. Children may exhibit other symptoms such as being easily startled.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder causes repeated and often unexpected attacks of intense fear. These attacks come on suddenly and are usually full-blown in 10 to 15 minutes. There are accompanying physical symptoms such as:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Sweating

Psychologically, a young person may feel frightened and confused and believe that he or she is dying. Children and adolescents with Panic Disorder are very worried between attacks about when the next attack will happen.

Panic Disorder is rare in young children. It is more likely to happen to adolescents. Research shows evidence that both heredity and stressful experiences may have a role in causing Panic Disorder.

Risk Factors & Causes

Temperament

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 an indication that the child or adolescent is at risk for developing an anxiety disorder.

Age

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.

Highly anxious children in the age group of 6 to 8, therefore, could be a pointer that the child may develop Anxiety Disorder later. A child's fears may change as a child ages, which complicates research.

Combination of Genetics & Environment

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 genes, environment, or both. More studies are needed to clarify whether or not anxiety disorders can be inherited.

Role of Parents & Caregivers in Treatment

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders often combines medications and specific types of therapies. Effective medications are available to treat Anxiety Disorders.

Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are two proven talking therapies.

Behavioral Therapy focuses on changing specific behaviors and uses techniques to stop unwanted behaviors.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy teaches ways to identify, understand and change the ways children and adolescents think about stressful things.

By identifying, diagnosing and treating Anxiety Disorders early, parents and others can help children reach their full potential. Anxiety disorders are treatable. Children who exhibit persistent symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder should be referred to and evaluated by a mental health professional who specializes in treating children.

The diagnostic evaluation may include psychological testing and consultation with other specialists. A comprehensive treatment plan should be developed with the family, and, whenever possible, the child should be involved in making treatment decisions.