Untitled Quiz

Anxiety Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence

• Anxiety is a psychological distress state. It reflects emotional, behavioral, physiological, and cognitive reactions to threats. There are two types of anxiety: State and Trait anxiety, where the former is a current anxiety, and the latter is a constant anxiety.
• Adaptive anxiety is appropriate and beneficial, a natural awareness of danger. Maladaptive anxiety is excessive and intrusive.
• Worry is a cognitive response to threat.
• Childhood anxiety disorders include separation anxiety disorder, selective mutism, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
• Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is diagnosed in children with excessive fear of separation from caregivers. Symptoms last at least four weeks and cause significant dysfunction.
• Onset of SAD typically peaks between 13-18 months and usually decreases around 3-5 years.
• SAD symptoms vary in children of different ages.
• 3-7-year-old children often cling or refuse to go to school.
• 12-year-olds experience diffuse separation fears.
• 4-year-olds have nightmares about parent's harm.
• Anxiety disorders affect roughly 20% of children and adolescents. In adults it’s about 5%.
• Girls are more likely to exhibit anxiety than boys.
• Anxiety disorders in children are linked to depression, substance abuse, and self-harm.
• Typically, depression develops about five years after the onset of anxiety disorders.
• Anxiety usually starts in middle childhood, but some disorders do not develop until puberty.
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) includes marked anxiety about social situations, with symptoms lasting at least six months.
• Panic Disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, characterized by intense fear and physiological arousal, peaking typically in 10 minutes.
• Agoraphobia is a fear of places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life.

Prevalence and Course

• Anxiety disorders are frequent in children.
• Anxiety disorders are more common in adolescents than younger children.
• GAD typically develops between ages 7-13.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetic factors play a role in anxiety disorders.
• Insecure attachments, parental anxiety, and controlling parenting styles can increase risk.
• Exposure and observational learning contribute to anxiety formation.

Diagnosing Anxiety Disorders

• Clinicians rely on DSM-5 criteria and clinical interviews.
• Factors that need consideration include intensity, frequency, duration of symptoms, degree of impairment.

Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely used treatment approach.
• Exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and cognitive restructuring techniques are components of CBT that are helpful in reducing anxiety.
• Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be used alongside therapy.