Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders
Anxiety is a normal part of growing up. Children and teens may worry about school, friendships, unfamiliar situations, or changes in their lives. But when fear and worry become persistent, feel difficult to control, or interfere with school, relationships, sleep, activities, or family life, they may be signs of an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns among young people. Current national data show that approximately 11% of children ages 3–17 have a diagnosed anxiety condition, while about 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12–17 report recent symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety does not always look like obvious worry. It may appear as avoidance, irritability, perfectionism, repeated reassurance-seeking, difficulty separating from parents, sleep problems, headaches, stomachaches, or emotional outbursts.
Signs and Symptoms of Clinical Anxiety
Frequent or excessive worry
Avoiding school, activities, people, or unfamiliar situations
Repeatedly seeking reassurance or clinging to parents
Fear of mistakes, disappointment, or not being perfect
Irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts
Difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or completing assignments
Headaches, stomachaches, nausea, dizziness, muscle tension, or panic
Withdrawing from friends or activities
Anxiety Comes in Many Forms
Anxiety can take many forms, and children and teens may experience more than one type at the same time. Some young people worry constantly, while others become anxious in social situations, fear separation from caregivers, experience sudden panic attacks, or avoid specific places or activities. The six most common anxiety disorders in children and adolescents are:
Genralized Anxiety Disorder
Children and teens with generalized anxiety disorder experience frequent, excessive worry about many areas of life, such as school, health, family, friendships, or the future. They may have difficulty relaxing, sleeping, concentrating, or managing uncertainty.
Social Anxiety Disorder:
Social anxiety involves an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected by others. A young person may avoid speaking in class, meeting new people, eating in public, attending activities, or participating in situations where they feel noticed.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Children and teens with separation anxiety experience significant distress when they are away from a parent or caregiver. They may refuse school, avoid sleeping alone, worry that something bad will happen to a loved one, or have physical symptoms before a separation.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation, such as animals, needles, storms, vomiting, heights, or flying. The fear is stronger than the actual danger and may lead to significant distress or avoidance.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves repeated, unexpected panic attacks followed by ongoing fear of having another attack. Young people may begin avoiding places, activities, or physical sensations they associate with panic, which can interfere with school, friendships, travel, and daily life.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where escape might feel difficult or help may not be available if panic symptoms occur. A child or teen may avoid crowds, public transportation, large stores, unfamiliar places, or being far from home.
Anxiety & Related Disorders Articles
Here you can explore articles from Dr. Lori Butterworth’s blog. Several of these have been published by Times Publishing Group and offer practical, evidence-based guidance for anxiety & related disorders.
How Can We Help?
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