Anxiety Disorders are one of the most common emotional disorders seen in children and teenagers.

Anxiety Disorders can include:

• Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Social Anxiety Issues

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

 

*These are just some of the phobias and disorders that can be addressed therapeutically.
Anxiety disorders can significantly impact daily functioning, as well as disrupt life satisfaction from a young age. Symptoms of depression can also be associated with children and teens who suffer from anxiety. Anxiety can manifest and be observed in children and teens in a variety of ways.

Some children may internalize anxiety, whereas others may exhibit more outward or externalizing behaviors such as:

• tantrums

• agitation

• Irritability

• aggression

• shaking or trembling

• shutting down/freezing

 

Anxiety can often lead to problems with grades, social functioning, and family life. Sometimes it can be misdiagnosed as ADHD or other behavioral/emotional problems. As with many other emotional issues, children and teens can be embarrassed to admit that they are having a difficult time controlling anxiety, are depressed or that they are experiencing some emotional discomfort in their lives. Some children are even unable to identify what they are experiencing as anxiety.

Anxiety can be caused by a multitude of factors. Some of the causes can include a temperamental vulnerability, increased sensitivity, and genetic factors. Anxiety can also be caused by increased life stressors, ineffective coping strategies, or a negative thinking/cognitive approach.
Anxiety disorders typically respond well to individual therapy, with and without incorporation of parents.

 

Therapy goals for anxiety disorders generally include:

• Provide thinking-based strategies to help reduce physical and emotional feelings of anxiety and control worrying

• Teach behavioral and relaxation strategies to reduce physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety

• Gain insight and exposure to fearful thoughts and situations so that these events no longer trigger anxiety and panic responses

• Education into the nature of anxiety can help the child or teen to identify and re-label the false warning signs that often trigger feelings of anxiety.

• Develop problem solving strategies and build skills to gain mastery and increased control over situations that cause anxiety

• Replace negative automatic thinking and worry with more realistic and optimistic self-talk