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»» YOUTHPSYCH.COM » DISORDERS » ANXIETY DISORDERS
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Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental disorders the country. Excessive social anxiety, clinging to parents, reactions to traumas, excessive fears and panics to the point of life interference can occur for as many as 10-15 percent of youth from childhood through teen years. Children and families effected by Anxiety Disorders often have trouble seeking out diagnoses or treatment. Learn more information and discuss this disorder in the YP.com forum!
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The Anxiety page is separated into four sub-sections. Please select an Anxiety Disorder from the following list:
- Separation Anxiety Disorder:
Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is characterized by a child's extreme fear of being away from home or from their primary caretakers. The main fears of children with SAD are around being lost or of something terrible happening to them or their parents. These children can refuse to sleep alone and often insist on sleeping in parents' beds at the night. They may complain of nightmares, stomachaches or other physical symptoms, and often refuse to attend school due to their fears of separation. SAD should not be confused with stranger anxiety which is typically seen at 7 to 11 months of age. SAD should not be confused with normally occurring separation anxiety seen between eighteen months and three years of age.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) takes the form of excessive and uncontrollable worrying for the child that becomes interfering with daily routines and living. Children with GAD can worry about a wide variety many things, such as the future, personal or parental health, school performance, weather, change in schedule, and family issues. Typically, the child worries beyond a reasonable level or when there is really no problem. GAD often includes physical symptoms (e.g., concentration difficulties, muscle aches or tension, sleep disturbance, irritability, or other physical symptoms).
- Social Phobia:
Social phobia (SOC) is an excessive fear of being negatively evaluated, rejected, humiliated or embarrassed in public or even with friends. Therefore children and adolescents with social phobia fear a wide range of situations such as talking in class or presenting, performing in sports or gym class, speaking to adults or peers, starting or joining in conversations, eating in public, and taking tests. This is general "shyness" taken to a much more advanced and interfering level. They often lack confidence and have excessive fears meeting unfamiliar persons, and therefore have great difficulty making friends or meeting new people.
- Panic Disorder:
Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia (PD) this is characterized by symptoms of a panic attack such as shortness of breath, racing or pounding heart rate, tingling and numbing sensations, hot or cold flushes, and terror when in specific situations or places. During a panic attack the child feels intense fear or discomfort, a sense of impending doom or sensations of unreality. Panic attacks may or may not accompany agoraphobia, the fear of being stuck in a situation where help or escape is unavailable.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (ptsd) A child with PTSD develops symptoms such as intense fear, disorganized and agitated behavior, emotional numbness, anxiety or depression, after being directly exposed to or witnessing an extreme traumatic situation often involving threatened death or serious injury. Victims of repeated abuse (physical, sexual, verbal or emotional) or children who live in violent environments or war zones may experience PTSD. Treatment includes community and family support and psychotherapy.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often has its start in childhood. Children with ocd experience distressing levels of worrying (obsessions). In order to reduce this anxiety they may develop compulsive "rituals" or work hard to avoid things. Children rarely understand why they feel so uncomfortable in situations. They often feel different, afraid, or ashamed because they do not understand the "internal" pressure that leads to their thoughts and actions. Related disorders include tourette's Syndrome (involuntary movements or tics) and trichotillamania (chronic hair pulling).
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RECOMMENDED ANXIETY WEBSITES
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| SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER WEBSITES
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Separation Anxiety Disorder
Description of separation anxiety disorder and treatment. Pamphlets and other information are available. (http://www.mentalhealth.com)
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FamilyFun: Family Field Guide: Separation Anxiety and Attachment
SEPARATION ANXIETY AND ATTACHMENT: From the
Field Guide to Parenting by Shelley Butler and Deb Kratz.
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| ANXIETY DISORDER WEBSITES
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Aboutkids.com
Good information and a general overview of PTSD. (http://www.aboutkids.com)
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Keepkidshealthy.com
Excellent overview of the different Anxiety Disorders and treatment options by dr. William Goldman. (http://www.keepkidshealthy.com)
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Nami.org
NAMI HelpLine Fact Sheet Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents. (www.nami.org)
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MentalHealth.com
Internet Mental Health is a free encyclopedia of mental health information created by a Canadian psychiatrist, Dr. Phillip Long.
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American Medical Association
Founded more than 150 years ago, AMA's strategic agenda remains rooted in our historic commitment to standards, ethics, excellence in medical education and practice, and advocacy on behalf of the medical profession and the patients it serves.
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| CURRENT ISSUES WEBSITES
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No websites listed at this time.
There is no information for Current Issues for this disorder at this time. If you have any suggestions please e-mail jon at: jon@youthpsych.com.
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