Anxiety Disorders

In children, anxiety can appear in a variety of forms other than classic “worrying.” Children can express anxiety through emotions like anger or sadness and behaviors like isolating themselves from others.

Subtypes

Anxiety disorders can range from mild to severe. The different types of anxiety disorders in children include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

With this disorder, a child has a significant amount of worry and anxiety about a variety of situations. This anxiety is hard to control. Children with this disorder are often described as “worriers.” They have physical symptoms of anxiety, such as easily tired, sleep problems, muscle tension, upset stomach, acting “edgy,” and irritability. Their worrying interferes with their functioning in social and school settings or in other daily activities.

Panic Disorder

With this disorder, a child has repeated periods of intense fear or discomfort, along with other symptoms, such as a racing heartbeat or shortness of breath. These periods are called “panic attacks” and typically lasts 5-20 minutes and rarely up to an hour. Panic attacks often develop without a known cause or without warning and can interfere with your child’s relationships, schoolwork, and development.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

With this disorder, a child worries excessively about their primary caregiver. This can lead to not wanting to go to school or socialize outside of the home, having nightmares and worrying about losing their primary caregiver, being unable to sleep alone, and having significant physical symptoms when separated or anticipating separation from their primary caregiver. Separation anxiety is a normal part of infancy and early toddlerhood. If it returns after this development stage, however, it is considered a disorder.

Social Phobia 

With this disorder, a child has a significant fear of social or performance situations, fearing that they will humiliate or embarrass themself. For children, this leads to anxiety around other kids, not just around adults. The anxiety or fear leads to problems with functioning in social and school settings or in other daily activities. Children with this disorder are often seen by others as “shy.”

Specific Phobia

With this disorder, a child excessively worries about a particular object or situation (for example, flying,
spiders, or heights). 

In addition, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are also considered anxiety disorders.

Signs and Symptoms

Typical signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

• Intense fear (a sense that something terrible is happening or
  going to happen)
• Racing or pounding heartbeat
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath or a feeling of being unable to breathe
• Trembling or shaking
• Feelings of disconnection and confusion about reality
• Fear of dying, losing control, or losing his or her mind