Anxiety Disorders In Children Research Paper

Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

General Psychology
Fall 2013

For those dealing with an anxiety disorder getting help can be difficult for multiple reasons. First, distinguishing between normal and abnormal worries and reactions can be difficult for a person. Once a person has realized they need help they face the reality that mental illness is often stigmatized, causing those suffering to feel ashamed and embarrassed and scared to reach out for help. They worry that others will judge them and deem them incapable of holding certain positions or rolls. When these issues arise in children though, a new world of challenges awaits. A child’s inability to properly communicate their feelings or worries
These children are often referred to as clingy, shy, or distracted. They might suffer from chronic headaches and stomachaches. A child with an anxiety disorder might start avoiding certain places and activities that they were previously comfortable at or enjoyed. Increased heart and respiration rate is another common symptom in a child with an anxiety disorder that would be more difficult for a parent to notice. These children might also deal with sleep disturbances such as inability to fall asleep, waking throughout the night, or early waking. (Children and Teens | Anxiety and Depression Association of
They will seem tense and high strung. They strive for perfectionism, and will often re do assignments and tasks multiple times until they get it perfect. Truancy becomes an issue for these children because their anxiety related to school performance becomes so overwhelming that they have difficulty even going to class. This also carries over to extracurricular activities such as sports and music lessons, things the child previously loved, but are no longer able to do because of debilitating anxiety. (Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Cumulative and Sequential