Childhood Anxiety and School Refusal

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Questions and Answers

What is the most effective procedure for treating most anxiety disorders?

family therapy

use of relaxation techniques

cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) (correct)

behavioral therapy

Which anxiety disorder in children and adolescents has the strongest evidence for the effectiveness of medication?

obsessive–compulsive disorder (correct)

generalized anxiety disorder

panic disorder

post-traumatic stress disorder

What happens when the physical response system is activated in the face of perceived danger?

Adrenaline and nonadrenaline are released from the pancreas

The body temperature decreases to conserve energy

Adrenaline and nonadrenaline are released from the adrenal glands (correct)

The digestive system becomes more active to digest food quickly

What is a physical effect of the activation of the physical response system?

Increased heart rate Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of the physical response system?

A person's muscles tensing in readiness for fight or flight Signup and view all the answers

What is produced when the physical response system is activated?

Adrenaline and nonadrenaline Signup and view all the answers

What is a respiratory effect of the activation of the physical response system?

Faster and shallower breathing Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of the physical response system being activated?

A person perceiving or anticipating danger Signup and view all the answers

What is often underlying a fear of school in many children?

Leaving their parents Signup and view all the answers

At what age range is school refusal most common?

5 and 11 Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes children with generalized anxiety disorder from those with other anxiety disorders?

They worry about minor events Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the fight/flight system?

To signal possible danger Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a child to be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder?

An inability to control worry Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult for children with anxiety disorders to focus on everyday tasks?

Because their attention is consumed by a constant search for threat or danger Signup and view all the answers

What is the lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder?

2.2% Signup and view all the answers

How do children with specific phobias differ from adults with specific phobias?

They recognize that their fears are extreme and unreasonable Signup and view all the answers

What may children with anxiety disorders do when they can't find proof of danger?

They will turn their search inward, thinking something is wrong with them Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary urges that accompany the fight/flight response?

Aggression and a desire to escape the threatening situation Signup and view all the answers

What type of phobia is a fear of elevators an example of?

Situational specific phobia Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of how socially unacceptable impulses may show up in behavior?

By foot tapping, fidgeting, or irritability Signup and view all the answers

Why is the fear of animals the most common specific phobia in children?

Evolutionary processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of worry in normal development?

To serve an extremely useful function in helping children prepare for the future Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of how worry can help children prepare for the future?

By checking their homework before handing it in Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the fight/flight response and anxiety disorders?

The fight/flight response can contribute to anxiety disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common secondary diagnosis for children with another anxiety disorder?

Social anxiety disorder Signup and view all the answers

When do most social anxiety disorders first occur?

Adolescence Signup and view all the answers

What type of anxiety disorder is selective mutism believed to be?

Social phobia Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic often associated with children who exhibit selective mutism?

An absence of anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an OCD-related disorder?

Germ avoidance disorder Signup and view all the answers

How long do compulsions and obsessions typically last in children with OCD?

More than an hour a day Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the most common compulsions experienced by children with OCD?

Excessive washing and bathing Signup and view all the answers

How does the rate of obsessive–compulsive disorder in children compare to the rate in adults?

Equal to Signup and view all the answers

What are some common types of specific phobias in young people?

Fears of animals or insects, natural events, blood, injuries, or medical procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of obsessions in individuals with OCD?

They are persistent and intrusive Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of compulsions in individuals with OCD?

To suppress or neutralize obsessions Signup and view all the answers

Which type of phobia has been found to have the least in common with other types of phobias?

Fear of blood, injuries, or medical procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of children with OCD?

They have multiple obsessions and compulsions Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between obsessions and compulsions in individuals with OCD?

Compulsions are a response to obsessions Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a mental act that may be a compulsion in an individual with OCD?

Repeating a word silently Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of specific phobias, including fears of animals or insects and natural events?

They share many similarities with other types of phobias Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anxiety Disorders in Children

Test anxiety disorder is a common anxiety disorder in children.
Fear of school is often a fear of leaving parents, not a fear of school itself.
School refusal is equally common in boys and girls, and it occurs most often between the ages of 5 and 11.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Children with generalized anxiety disorder worry about minor events and experience somatic symptoms.
To be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, a child must exhibit an inability to control worry.
The lifetime prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder is 2.2%.

Specific Phobias

Children with specific phobias do not recognize that their fears are extreme and unreasonable.
The most common specific phobia in children is a fear of animals, believed to be due to evolutionary processes.
A situational specific phobia would most likely involve a fear of elevators.

Social anxiety disorder is the most common secondary diagnosis for children with another anxiety disorder.
Most social anxiety disorders first occur in adolescence.
Selective mutism is believed to be a type of social phobia.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Compulsions and obsessions experienced by children typically last more than an hour a day.
The most common compulsions include excessive washing and bathing.
The rate of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children is equal to the rate of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults.
Genetic influences have a greater role in early onset cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder than late onset cases.

Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective procedure for treating most anxiety disorders.
The strongest evidence for the effectiveness of medication to treat anxiety disorders in children and adolescents is for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Anxiety Response Systems

The physical response system involves the release of adrenaline and nonadrenaline, leading to increased heart rate, sweating, and other physical effects.
The cognitive response system involves a search for potential threats and can lead to self-blame and anxiety.
The behavioral response system involves the desire to escape or avoid threatening situations, leading to avoidance behaviors or aggressive impulses.

Worry, Anxiety, and Panic

Worry is a normal and useful function in development, but can be excessive in children with anxiety disorders.
Anxiety is a broader concept that involves a physical response to perceived danger.
Panic is a sudden and intense anxiety response that can be overwhelming.

Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions are persistent and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that cause significant anxiety or distress.
Compulsions are repetitive, purposeful behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions to suppress or neutralize them.
Most children with OCD have multiple obsessions and compulsions, and certain compulsions are commonly associated with specific obsessions.

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Description

This quiz assesses knowledge on anxiety disorders in children, specifically fear of school and school refusal. It covers topics such as the causes of school fear and the ages at which school refusal typically occurs.