Children & Generalized Anxiety Disorder

All children worry about something occasionally, but some children worry excessively over issues and events that pose little risk in reality. Known as general anxiety disorder (GAD), this mental condition causes chronic unease in some children, resulting in the possible withdrawal from social events and reduced performance in school, according to Boston Children's Hospital.

Symptoms

• The child may become nervous, impatient, irritable or restless. He may also find it difficult to concentrate on daily tasks, discovering that he is distracted by relatively small events. A general sense of nervousness occurs, and the child might feel "wound up" and unable to relax. GAD may also cause physical distress, the Mayo Clinic reports, including headaches, diarrhea or muscle tension.

Causes

• According to Boston Children's Hospital, two chemicals in the brain are responsible for the way we feel: serotonin and norepinephrine. When an imbalance in these two chemicals occurs in a child's brain, he may suffer from unreasonable fear and nervousness. In addition, a predisposition to developing anxiety disorders may be genetic.

Diagnosis

• The child's primary care physician may recommend a pediatric psychiatrist for an evaluation. Along with the parent's observations, the doctor may conduct an extensive interview with the child to rule out other disorders and to arrive at a diagnosis of GAD.

Treatment

• Depending upon the child's age and medical history, a possible program of treatment may include strengthening the child's anxiety management skills and teaching the child to react differently to specific situations. Family counseling is encouraged to help parents and siblings support the child in dealing with GAD. Additional treatment may include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication, according to Boston Children's Hospital.

Coping

• After a diagnosis of GAD, the child and his family may benefit from joining a therapy or support group. The Mayo Clinic suggests using coping techniques such as going for brisk walks to deal with anxiety, eating a nutritious diet and getting sufficient sleep. Regular exercise may be beneficial, as well, the clinic reports.