Anxiety Disorders in Children

Children with untreated anxiety disorders are more likely to have difficulty in school, to experience social issues and to abuse drugs and alcohol. Children with anxiety disorders may attempt to medicate themselves with alcohol or drugs such as marijuana. Anxiety disorders can be triggered by a stressful event such as moving to another state; however, they can develop without a major trigger as well.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Anxiety disorders are one of the most common types of mental health disorders in children and teens. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worrying, restlessness, insomnia, difficulty concentrating in school, an irritable mood, low self-esteem and psychosomatic symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches. These children worry much more than the average child about their scholastic achievement, being perfect and how they are perceived by their peers.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

• According to the National Mental Health Information Center, about 1 in every 25 children suffers from separation anxiety disorder. This disorder is most common in children aged 7 to 9. A child with this disorder may refuse to go to school, camps or daycare, turn down invitations for sleepovers with friends, worry about the safety of her parents and demand to sleep with her parents. Some children with this disorder also suffer from depression.

Specific Phobias

• A child who is extremely afraid of storms, heights, animals, water or being enclosed in a small space is suffering from a specific phobia. The phobia is characterized as intense and irrational, and it must be present for at least six months for the child to receive this diagnosis. The phobia usually interferes with the child's daily life. For example, a child who is afraid of dogs may refuse to go to a friend's house who has a dog or may panic every time he sees a dog while outside.

Social Anxiety Disorder

• A child with a social anxiety disorder becomes extremely anxious in performance situations such as giving a presentation in class and fears social situations. This child probably sits alone at lunch, would rather work alone in class, doesn't participate in class discussions, has a difficult time making and maintaining friends and is concerned about being embarrassed in front of others. A child who suffers from this disorder also has physical symptoms such as sweaty palms and a racing heart when placed in social situations.

Panic Disorder

• It's unlikely, but possible, for a child to suffer from panic disorder, which is characterized by at least two panic attacks and at least one month of concern that the child will suffer from another attack. According to Anxiety Disorders Association of America, a panic attack is characterized by at least four of the following symptoms: "a feeling of imminent danger or doom, the need to escape, palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or a smothering feeling, a feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea of abdominal discomfort, dizziness or light-headedness, depersonalization, a fear of losing control or going crazy, a fear of dying, tingling sensations, chills or hot flashes."

Treatment

• Anxiety disorders are treated with individual therapy, family therapy, medication and biofeedback. Sometimes a child will need a combination of those treatments to effectively remedy the anxiety disorder. The treatment also depends on the type of anxiety disorder the child suffers from. The most common type of therapy for treating children with anxiety disorders is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps the child examine her thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
  If you think your child is suffering from an anxiety disorder, you should have her evaluated by a licensed mental health professional. The mental health professional will give your child a diagnosis, recommend treatment and educate you on the disorder and how you can help your child.