Anxiety in Children and Teenagers

Approximately 10% of children and teenagers are expected to develop a diagnosable anxiety disorder before they reach adulthood.   These include Separation Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Specific Phobia, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Phobia, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Symptoms of Anxiety in children may include:-

• Behavioural inhibition (avoidance of situations, activities or certain people).
• Seeking close physical proximity to caregivers and other trusted individuals.
• Strong emotional reactions to certain situations (including fear, crying and anger).
• Excessive reassurance seeking.
• Behavioural problems, such as non-compliance and oppositionality.
• School refusal resulting from anxiety and avoidance.
• Somatic complaints
• Ritualized behaviours

Both nurture and nature are thought to play a role in the development of anxiety disorders.  Parental behaviours can serve to maintain anxiety disorders, particularly if parents have an anxious world view and do not promote the child’s independence and coping skills.

Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

At Rose Park Psychology, a Cognitive Behavioural approach is taken to the treatment of anxiety disorders.  Research has shown that this is a particularly effective treatment for problems of this kind.  Treatment is delivered in an age appropriate and engaging way, with principles of cognitive behaviour therapy taught to younger children through puppets and play.  Parents are closely involved in treatment, to reinforce new behaviours and assist in generalizing treatment gains to the child’s everyday environment.

Treatment typically involves:-

• Psychoeducation – giving parents and children an understanding of the particular anxiety disorder, and what factors play a role in maintaining the disorder.
• Relaxation training, when appropriate.
• Cognitive restructuring and problem solving strategies.
• Graduated exposure to anxiety producing situations.
• Relapse prevention.