Childhood AnxietyJoin now to read essay Childhood AnxietyChildhood AnxietyAccording to William T. Goldman, M.D, “Anxiety Disorders are the number one health problem in America, ranging from a simple Adjustment Disorder to more difficult and debilitating disorders, such as Panic Disorder and Posttraumatic stress disorder. The lifetime prevalence of adult anxiety is twenty-five percent (Goldman). While anxiety disorders in children are becoming more common, many go unseen or misdiagnosed. It’s important to find out who is at risk, what the causes are and what can be done for treatment.
The Webster’s Dictionary defines anxiety as, “a state of being anxious, and concern” (New Expanded, 1988). Fears and anxieties in children are a normal part of growing up. It is instilled in people from birth as a reaction to loud noises and aversion to strangers. These are normal stages that help children adapt to the world they live in. Distressing, persistent anxiety or maladaptive behavior characterizes anxiety disorders (Franzoi, 2007). In Dr. Paul Foxman’s book, The Worried Child, it states that, “The Surgeon General’s office, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) have all reported a crisis in the mental health needs of our children and adolescents” (Foxman, 2004). SAMSA indicates that one in five American children and adolescents have a mental health problem. If one in five children had pneumonia; we would consider it an epidemic. Federal dollars need to be allocated to manage this crisis (Foxman, 2004).
Childhood Anxiety 3A variety of causes can bring on anxiety. Psychological anxiety results when a combination of stresses overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. Studies show that genetics can also be responsible for the onset, when at least one relative has a diagnosed anxiety disorder. Biological anxiety is the imbalance of noradrenergic and serotonergic neural systems. This is an abnormal function in the brain. Medical illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, valve prolapsed, lung disease, etc, can bring on anxiety (Goldman). There are a variety of anxiety disorders that affect children: Overanxious Disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder,
Anxiety and depression – Anxiety and depression are a group of factors that together are cause of at least 1 in 5 children.
This page provides links to clinical and other sources of information on Anxiety and depression. It’s important for those who do not want to be confused with stress. It also suggests a discussion of anxiety research. An anxiety disorder is similar to an anxiety disorder in terms of several physiological and pathological characteristics, and their effects may vary. In common with an anxiety disorder, the disorder involves the “rejection process” where a person is unable to overcome their anxiety or depression, and may suffer from a range of other symptoms of the disorder. A person’s social networks, social networks, and personal relationships will, once they get into the habit of talking or interacting with others, start to feel that they are in the presence of the disorder. A person may feel like they are getting in a lot of trouble with the disorder, but this can be a sign that this person is in a panic attack. It is common to find that a person who is struggling with anxiety will be depressed during a situation of panic attacks. Anxiety symptoms include: A high rate of anger or stress
A high rate of worry or embarrassment
Efforts to conceal a major event or behavior from friends and family
Anxiety may also play a role in the onset of other psychological or physiological problems such as anger or rejection, but people tend to start experiencing symptoms early on. When people with anxiety have high anxiety, they become more prone to reacting and acting out of control. When people with depression struggle with such symptoms they may experience a more chaotic state. Stress may also play a key role, as people can feel their body go into a depression state and become easily irritated. Depression and anxiety are also likely to start affecting the relationship between the person and family, which in turn means that some relationships may become more difficult. As anxiety causes tension, stress, and anger, it can play a negative and stressful role. As with any anxiety disorder, there is usually a combination of factors that may lead to a child becoming anxious. These include: • High level of stress and a number of symptoms, such as anxiety or stress
• Anxiety-like mood • A lack of self-confidence and a sense of entitlement
• Anxiety-like behaviour
• Depression, including depression and anxiety and suicide (including suicide ideation and thoughts) • A tendency to be angry or anxious
• A sense that depression is the primary cause of anxiety in the family with a child
• A feeling of isolation or stress
• An inability to control a specific situation or to respond clearly to a specific situation in life, particularly when you don’t know what to do or go about what you want (e.g., ‘when is the time to go to bed’). • As a result of the anxiety and depression, it can cause many problems. Parents may believe that a child with a depressed or anxious parent may be going off to a better life rather than seeing their child as a future, even if all parents have a similar temperament. This might be a more likely explanation for the lack of parental help with the condition.
Psychiatric, psychological, and behavioral characteristics of children with a depression, suicide, or anxiety disorder The effects of depression and anxiety can vary quite a bit depending on the child.
Low-level mental or psychological problems are normal when the child is not well and suffers high stress. Depression and anxiety affect a wide range of cognitive and physiological functions. This has been shown to vary by a large extent from one child to another. Depression and anxiety are also common when a child develops serious and chronic behavioural problems such as:
The disorder can have effects that have been seen in an individual’s family. Children with depression may feel much less comfortable in social situations and have fewer feelings of social support, and therefore feel less able to handle any pressures of family relationships. The more stress a child develops in any social event that results in conflict with their parents, this may lead to negative attitudes toward them or negatively affect their social status. Children with an anxiety disorder also often experience lower social support. Having a family and relationship with a depressed or anxious parent is often seen as a way of reducing stress by having them understand that their problems are being exacerbated and that many times they will not be able to feel any real peace.
Children with the same condition, however, will have higher levels of anxiety, depression, or anxiety over time, potentially leading to greater problems with school. Depression, though common, may be accompanied by a variety of coping mechanisms and may only be apparent slightly later in life. This can also explain the increased distress of many children whose parents are often depressed and anxious. Symptoms of depression include low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and low self-confidence and self-control. Low self-esteem may also show little to no symptoms of depression. Some children with a depression who are depressed might feel very depressed after they have a positive experience (e.g., when they are happy). Feeling like they’ve dealt with the stress, then feeling great, may be a sign of a different way of dealing with a negative feeling. These feelings may be the result of low self-esteem or low self-confession. Low self-confidence may also manifest in a sense of self-harm, and may simply mean that the individual has not done all they can with who they are. It is important for children with a depression to be aware of this potential.
The symptoms of anxiety include: • feeling anxious or anxious • feeling depressed; • feeling bad • Feeling ashamed • being anxious or upset. High levels of anxiety often interfere with the activities of social interactions. People with an anxiety disorder may feel that their social support system is
• A lack of concern for what others can or can’t do about their feelings
• The loss of control leading to anger, anxiety, or depression
• A low level of emotional maturity (eg. depression or anxiety)
• A low level of confidence or self-confidence
• An increased willingness toward others and to express some regret or anger over an event
• It is important to note that anxiety can be hard to change. As anxiety starts to go away, the stress and anger start to be more difficult to control. Anxiety can cause anxiety-like symptoms as well. In one recent study, adults having anxiety on a scale of 1 was more likely to experience severe emotions and had higher anxiety than those who did not have the disorder. The researchers thought that
Anxiety and depression – Anxiety and depression are a group of factors that together are cause of at least 1 in 5 children.
This page provides links to clinical and other sources of information on Anxiety and depression. It’s important for those who do not want to be confused with stress. It also suggests a discussion of anxiety research. An anxiety disorder is similar to an anxiety disorder in terms of several physiological and pathological characteristics, and their effects may vary. In common with an anxiety disorder, the disorder involves the “rejection process” where a person is unable to overcome their anxiety or depression, and may suffer from a range of other symptoms of the disorder. A person’s social networks, social networks, and personal relationships will, once they get into the habit of talking or interacting with others, start to feel that they are in the presence of the disorder. A person may feel like they are getting in a lot of trouble with the disorder, but this can be a sign that this person is in a panic attack. It is common to find that a person who is struggling with anxiety will be depressed during a situation of panic attacks. Anxiety symptoms include: A high rate of anger or stress
A high rate of worry or embarrassment
Efforts to conceal a major event or behavior from friends and family
Anxiety may also play a role in the onset of other psychological or physiological problems such as anger or rejection, but people tend to start experiencing symptoms early on. When people with anxiety have high anxiety, they become more prone to reacting and acting out of control. When people with depression struggle with such symptoms they may experience a more chaotic state. Stress may also play a key role, as people can feel their body go into a depression state and become easily irritated. Depression and anxiety are also likely to start affecting the relationship between the person and family, which in turn means that some relationships may become more difficult. As anxiety causes tension, stress, and anger, it can play a negative and stressful role. As with any anxiety disorder, there is usually a combination of factors that may lead to a child becoming anxious. These include: • High level of stress and a number of symptoms, such as anxiety or stress
• Anxiety-like mood • A lack of self-confidence and a sense of entitlement
• Anxiety-like behaviour
• Depression, including depression and anxiety and suicide (including suicide ideation and thoughts) • A tendency to be angry or anxious
• A sense that depression is the primary cause of anxiety in the family with a child
• A feeling of isolation or stress
• An inability to control a specific situation or to respond clearly to a specific situation in life, particularly when you don’t know what to do or go about what you want (e.g., ‘when is the time to go to bed’). • As a result of the anxiety and depression, it can cause many problems. Parents may believe that a child with a depressed or anxious parent may be going off to a better life rather than seeing their child as a future, even if all parents have a similar temperament. This might be a more likely explanation for the lack of parental help with the condition.
Psychiatric, psychological, and behavioral characteristics of children with a depression, suicide, or anxiety disorder The effects of depression and anxiety can vary quite a bit depending on the child.
Low-level mental or psychological problems are normal when the child is not well and suffers high stress. Depression and anxiety affect a wide range of cognitive and physiological functions. This has been shown to vary by a large extent from one child to another. Depression and anxiety are also common when a child develops serious and chronic behavioural problems such as:
The disorder can have effects that have been seen in an individual’s family. Children with depression may feel much less comfortable in social situations and have fewer feelings of social support, and therefore feel less able to handle any pressures of family relationships. The more stress a child develops in any social event that results in conflict with their parents, this may lead to negative attitudes toward them or negatively affect their social status. Children with an anxiety disorder also often experience lower social support. Having a family and relationship with a depressed or anxious parent is often seen as a way of reducing stress by having them understand that their problems are being exacerbated and that many times they will not be able to feel any real peace.
Children with the same condition, however, will have higher levels of anxiety, depression, or anxiety over time, potentially leading to greater problems with school. Depression, though common, may be accompanied by a variety of coping mechanisms and may only be apparent slightly later in life. This can also explain the increased distress of many children whose parents are often depressed and anxious. Symptoms of depression include low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and low self-confidence and self-control. Low self-esteem may also show little to no symptoms of depression. Some children with a depression who are depressed might feel very depressed after they have a positive experience (e.g., when they are happy). Feeling like they’ve dealt with the stress, then feeling great, may be a sign of a different way of dealing with a negative feeling. These feelings may be the result of low self-esteem or low self-confession. Low self-confidence may also manifest in a sense of self-harm, and may simply mean that the individual has not done all they can with who they are. It is important for children with a depression to be aware of this potential.
The symptoms of anxiety include: • feeling anxious or anxious • feeling depressed; • feeling bad • Feeling ashamed • being anxious or upset. High levels of anxiety often interfere with the activities of social interactions. People with an anxiety disorder may feel that their social support system is
• A lack of concern for what others can or can’t do about their feelings
• The loss of control leading to anger, anxiety, or depression
• A low level of emotional maturity (eg. depression or anxiety)
• A low level of confidence or self-confidence
• An increased willingness toward others and to express some regret or anger over an event
• It is important to note that anxiety can be hard to change. As anxiety starts to go away, the stress and anger start to be more difficult to control. Anxiety can cause anxiety-like symptoms as well. In one recent study, adults having anxiety on a scale of 1 was more likely to experience severe emotions and had higher anxiety than those who did not have the disorder. The researchers thought that
Avoidant Disorder, Phobic Disorder and Anxiety associated with medical conditions.All of these disorders, except Separation Anxiety Disorder, can be found in adults and children (Foxman, 2004).Overanxious Disorder, also known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, is excessive worry, apprehension and anxiety that occurs most days and lasts for a period of six months or more. It is worry over a number of activities and events. There is no clear object or situation that causes the anxiety. Instead the anxiety is “free-floating”.
Overanxious disorder occurs in about 5% of the general population, usually associated with other anxiety disorders or depression. It occurs twice as often in women as men, and more often in people over the age of 24 (Franzoi, 2007). Children that suffer from overanxious disorder are nervous, seek reassurance from others and often avoid performance-based activities because they are easily slighted and are highly sensitive to criticism. They often complain of headaches and stomachaches during periods of
Childhood Anxiety 4anxiety. Teachers may be unaware of the child suffering from the disorder because such children are usually well behaved and cooperative (Foxman, 2004). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also referred to as the DSM, the American handbook for mental health professionals lists categories of mental health disorders and the criteria for diagnosing them. The DSM criteria for diagnosing overanxious disorder is (at least 4 of 7 must be met):
Unrealistic worry about future eventsPreoccupation with the appropriateness of the individual’s behavior in the past.Over concern about the competence in a variety of areas (e.g., academic, athletic, and social).Excessive need for reassurance about a variety of worries.Somatic complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches, for which physical basis can be established.Marked self-consciousness or susceptibility to embarrassment or humiliation.Marked