Anxiety Disorders in Children
Anxiety Disorders in Children
Fear is a part of most children’s lives at some time or another and while many will manage this fear without much of an issue, sometimes an anxiety disorder in children may develop. Their basic fears could stem from darkness at night while they sleep or simply having concern about taking a test at school. Perhaps they may be new to a neighborhood or a school, or starting over. Most of the time children manage these fears fine, yet sometimes they may develop into panic attacks or other disorders.
One thing we wish we could do is to protect children, to let them hold onto their innocence as long as possible, but this cannot always be done. Anxiety disorders in children may develop at any time and can be very much like those that afflict adults. Children may worry constantly about going to school or about something within their home. Children suffering from anxiety disorders may also tend to strive for perfection at everything and can often be very hard on themselves or overly demanding. This may also manifest itself in seeking approval constantly from others.
Children with these fears may also develop obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which is, basically, an obsession or unwanted thoughts or emotions that cannot be removed from the person’s head. This may lead to routines and ritualistic behaviors, such as washing hands incessantly or opening and closing a door repeatedly each time they go into another room. While OCD is usually diagnosed in children no younger than ten, some as young as two or three have been discovered with it.
A panic disorder is usually determined if there are two successive, unexpected panic attacks followed by one month of concern about having another panic attack. Most of the time, young children are not seen with this disorder, but commonly some adolescents may begin to show the signs.
An anxiety disorder in children may also be indicated by specific phobias, such as irrational fears about certain locations, objects, or circumstances. Children will have fears, but it is the fear that persists that may indicate that there may be an anxiety disorder in the child. If the fear persists for more than six months and interferes with their daily routine and activities, the child may have a phobia. They may endure stomach pains or persistent and recurring headaches, tantrums, or stop where they are, frozen in place by their fear. They may also become excessively clingy.
Unfortunately, children do sometimes encounter extreme traumas in their young lives, such as the loss of a parent, natural disaster, or an attack or some other act that causes them anxiety or stress, and this can lead to post traumatic stress disorder, which is another form of anxiety disorder in children. Lack of sleep, appetite, or being emotionally disconnected may indicate post traumatic stress.
While an anxiety disorder in children may be similar to those in adults, their emotional and physical manifestations may be quite different. Children don’t often understand that their fears are irrational and they may not be able to express their anxieties well. Any child who may be showing signs of anxiety disorders should be referred to their pediatrician for evaluation.
