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Anxiety Disorders in Children

Anxiety is common in children and adolescents and can often be an understandable response to normal developmental challenges (e.g., not wanting to separate from parents during preschool, being scared of the dark, shy/fearful of strangers). These anxious responses are often short and do not lead to significant problems with the child’s daily life. What separates normal anxiety from an anxiety disorder is when the anxiety is irrational and persistent and significantly impairs the child’s daily functioning.

Anxiety disorders occur in approximately one out of eight children. Anxiety in children may often be misinterpreted or misdiagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) given that both disorders have many symptoms in common. due to the similar problems concentrating, distractibility, daydreaming, fidgeting or restlessness, and impatience. Children suffering from an anxiety disorder may have a co-existing disorder of depression, eating disorders, ADHD, or other learning problems; thus, a thorough evaluation is often necessary to fully evaluate the symptoms and differential diagnoses.

General symptoms of childhood anxiety may include:
  • Worrying about things before they happen
  • Constant concerns about family, school, friends, or activities
  • Repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or actions (compulsions)
  • Fears of embarrassment or making mistakes
  • Low self esteem and lack of self-confidence
The following are six primary types of anxiety disorders commonly occurring in children:

Anxiety disorders during childhood may appear as many different things, which may result in an inaccurate diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to receive a thorough evaluation of a social, emotional, and academic functioning in order to fully assess the presenting symptoms and issues. If undiagnosed and untreated, anxiety disorders can have significant effects on an individual’s life, including poor social relationships, depression, poor academic performance, and may lead to other disorders, such as depression or substance abuse.

The Tarnow Center offers a variety of approaches to the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders. Individual therapy and biofeedback focuses on developing specific skills for managing anxiety, while also addressing the struggles with daily stressors and low self-esteem that often accompany a diagnosis of anxiety. Family therapy focuses on developing open communication and expression of emotion and teaches the parents techniques to utilize at home with the anxious child. Additionally, group therapy provides safe and appropriate social training, where the child can get feedback from peers and adults about how to regulate their behavior.

The Tarnow Center offers a variety of approaches to the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders.

  • Individual Therapy: Individual work focuses on developing specific skills for managing anxiety, while also addressing the struggles with daily stressors and low self-esteem that often accompany a diagnosis of anxiety.
  • Biofeedback: Like individual therapy, Biofeedback works by teaching specific anxiety management skills to the client. Biofeedback employs the use of technology to make the client more aware of the internal processes that contribute to anxiety, and in doing so, teaches the client to better control these processes.
  • Family Therapy: Family work is important in the treatment of anxiety in that it focuses on developing open communication and expression of emotion, while teaching parents techniques to utilize at home with the anxious child.
  • Group Therapy: Groups provide safe and appropriate social training where the child can get feedback from peers and adults about how to regulate their behavior.

For more information about resources in your area, go to: Treatment Programs

To contact one of our clinicians, or to schedule an Intake Evaluation, please click on the link below or call 713-621-9515.