Anxiety

Action Signs*:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have recurring fears and worries that they find difficult to control.  They worry about almost everything—school, sports, being on time, even natural disasters.  Children with GAD are usually eager to please others and may be “perfectionists,” dissatisfied with their own less-than-perfect performance.  They may be:

·       Restless

·       Irritable

·       Tense

·       Easily tired

·       Having trouble concentrating or sleeping

 

Separation Anxiety Disorder:

Children with separation anxiety disorder have intense anxiety about being away from home or caregivers that affects their ability to function socially and in school.  These children have a great need to stay at home or be close to their parents.  Children with this disorder may worry excessively about their parents when they are apart from them.  When they are together, the child may cling to parents, refuse to go to school, or be afraid to sleep alone.  Other common symptoms include:

·       Repeated nightmares about separation

·       Physical symptoms, such as stomachaches and headaches

 

Social Phobia:

Social phobia usually emerges in the mid-teens and typically does not affect young children.  Young people with this disorder have a constant fear of social situations such as speaking in class or eating in public.  This fear is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, blushing, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or muscle tenseness.  Young people with this disorder typically respond to these feelings by avoiding the feared situation.  Young people with social phobia are often:

·       Overly sensitive to criticism

·       Have trouble being assertive

·       Suffer from low self-esteem

Social phobia can be limited to specific situations, so the adolescent may fear dating and recreational events but be confident in academic and work situations.

* The Action Signs Project  Peter Jensen, MD et al, REACH Institute

Clinical Guidelines:

Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders – February 2007

Screening for Anxiety:

Multidemensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)

• For children 8 to 19 years old
• 39 items
• 15 minutes to complete
• $78 includes manual and 25 MASC QuickScore Forms
• Assesses major dimentions of anxiety in young persons
• Link to website

Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)

• For children 8 or older
• 41 items
• Parent and student completes screen
• 5 minutes to complete
• Available for free
• Link to child questionnaire
• Link to parent questionnaire

Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS)

• For children 2.5-6.5, 8-12
• Parent 35-45 items; student 34-45 items
• 5 to 10 minutes to complete
• Available for free
• Link to SCAS

Evaluation of Anxiety:

Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM –IV Child Version ( ADIS)

• Varied ages
• Designed for children suffering from anxiety
• $33 for 1 child and 1 parent interview schedule

According the the practice parameter, you may also use a checklist based on the DSM-IV criteria to evaluate anxiety.

Parent Information:

AACAP Facts for Families: The Anxious Child

Visit the Anxiety Disorders Association of America at www.adaa.org

The National Institute of Mental Health website has a variety of information about anxiety disorders, including easy to read publications. Click here to visit the NIMH anxiety page.