Anxiety is a normal and adaptive human emotion that is experienced throughout the lifespan. However, anxiety is considered to be problematic and considered an anxiety disorder when it is out of proportion to the situation, when it begins to interfere in a person’s lifestyle and/or cause them significant distress. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in America, with nearly 18% of Americans experiencing an anxiety disorder in a given year.
What are some examples of anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders can take on a number of forms. Some examples of anxiety disorders are:
- Panic Disorder – the experiencing of panic attacks, seemingly out-of-the-blue and a worry about the recurrence of panic attacks
- Agoraphobia – fear and avoidance of places and situations due to concern about experiencing a panic attack
- Specific Phobias – excessive fear of a specific situation or object which then leads to related avoidance (e.g. fear of heights, fear of animals, claustrophobia)
- Social Anxiety Disorder – excessive fear of being negatively judged or rejected by others
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder – characterized by unrealistic or excessive worry about a number of different areas of one’s life (e.g. school, health, social relationships) that is often accompanied by a number of physical symptoms (e.g. racing heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath)
Can Anxiety Disorders affect children?
Anxiety disorders are also one of the most common disorders of childhood and affect up to 8% of children. Just like in adulthood, some degree of anxiety in childhood is normal and can be adaptive. However, excessive anxiety can begin to interfere with a child’s development. For example, some degree of anxiety around strangers can help keep a child safe; however, if fear of new people prevents a child from attending school or birthday parties, it can prevent him or her from having experiences important to his or her social and emotional growth.
Various anxiety disorders present first in childhood. In addition to the conditions listed above, anxiety disorders that are commonly found in youth include:
- Separation Anxiety Disorder – excessive anxiety related to separating from home and/or a caregiver often due to worry about something negative occurring to oneself or the caregiver
- Selective Mutism – occurs when an individual who is normally capable of speech is unable to speak in specific situations or to specific individuals (e.g. child can speak openly at home, but does not speak at school)
If untreated in youth, anxiety disorders can persist into early adolescence and adulthood and can lead to additional mental health concerns.
What are Evidence-Based Treatments for Anxiety Disorders?
There has been robust research showing the efficacy of both pharmacological interventions and cognitive behavioral treatments for adults, adolescents, and youth with anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral treatments consist of psychoeducation about emotions, cognitive restructuring, and emotional exposure exercises and practice. Cognitive behavioral treatments have even been adapted and shown to be effective for youth as young as seven years-old. However, anxiety disorders can present in children younger than seven years-old. In younger age groups, anxiety can be addressed through Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and other treatment approaches aimed at imparting skills onto parents, schools and other care providers.