Table of Contents Introduction to Childhood Anxiety Disorders Uction “Only one in five Canadians under the age of twelve suffering from an anxiety disorder receive adequate treatment” (Butler and Pang, 2014). Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems, with between 15% and 25% of young Canadians experiencing some type of anxiety disorder before the age of nineteen. Some of these include separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, most children who suffer from these conditions do not receive treatment because they have different symptoms than adults. When left untreated, it can have a significant impact on a child's academic and social success, as well as lead to more serious cases of anxiety, depression and other mental health problems later in life. in life. This article will describe the symptoms present in children with anxiety disorders, the negative impacts they can have if left untreated, and ways to recognize and provide appropriate treatment. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Anxiety Disorders in Children “An anxiety disorder is a common mental illness defined by feelings of uneasiness, worry, and fear. Although anxiety affects everyone sometimes, a person with an anxiety disorder experiences inappropriate levels of anxiety more often than is reasonable” (Tracy, 2019). Anxiety disorders are relatively new to the medical scene and were only officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980. Although they have been present throughout history, medical professionals have generally made a generic diagnosis to people who suffered from these disorders, due to a lack of knowledge. of understanding around them. With the rise of media, knowledge around these disorders is becoming more and more widespread, and in turn, more and more research is being conducted as well as the search for more effective treatments. Often, people who suffer from anxiety disorders also suffer from other mental illnesses such as depression, which can lead to an increased risk of suicide. Anxiety disorders are commonly present in children, but they often go unnoticed and ultimately untreated. This may be due to pediatricians' lack of specialized training in youth mental health issues. Children also typically have different symptoms than adults with anxiety disorders, again making it more difficult to recognize them correctly. One of the biggest differences is that children generally do not report feelings or symptoms they may experience related to anxiety disorders, leaving it to professionals to recognize and provide necessary treatment. “Therefore, early recognition of these disorders in children and adolescents can make a significant difference in outcomes through improvement in various areas of functioning” (Riedford, 2010). It is important for professionals to have a good understanding of each type of anxiety disorder so that they can recognize and treat it correctly to avoid possible interferences that it may have on the child later in life. Causes “The three main components of the development and course of anxiety disorder anxiety disorders are environmental, genetic and neurohormonal. He isIt is important that pediatricians recognize and explore each of these components” (Kelly, 2005). There are a number of causes for the onset of anxiety disorders in children, such as traumatic events, genetics, and hormonal imbalance. Traumatic situations and severe stressors can cause a child to develop an anxiety disorder, often post-traumatic stress disorder. Studies have shown that half of children affected by an anxiety disorder have a family member who is also affected. Typically, this is considered and examined when diagnosing obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Neurohormonal imbalances have also been examined and considered to play a role in the development of anxiety disorders. Types, symptoms and treatments There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with its own symptoms and recommended treatment. Children can commonly suffer from a number of anxiety disorders, ranging from separation anxiety disorder to specific phobias and generalized anxiety disorder. Each of these can harm a child's life, especially if left unaddressed. As Bober and Martin share: Many of these disorders share a common thread and represent a developmental condition characterized by high levels of fear and apprehension. Despite the similarities of these various disorders, advances in neuroscience will likely continue to help differentiate their unique symptom profiles and associated features. (Bober and Martin, 2006) Although each of these conditions has common symptoms consisting of feelings of apprehension and fear, they differ from each other in the presentation of other symptoms and require their own treatments. This highlights the importance of understanding each form of anxiety disorder so that it can be properly recognized. Separation Anxiety Disorder Children who suffer from separation anxiety disorder are often reluctant to leave those familiar to them, such as their parents, and make it difficult for caregivers to leave. Typically, these children will cite reasons for not going to school, such as waking up in the morning feeling sick even though they were fine the night before. A common treatment for separation anxiety disorder involves engaging the child and their family in behavioral programs, which provide positive feedback and reinforcement to the child for enduring long periods away from their caregivers. Forms of therapy are also often used, as well as the use of Prozac for short-term treatment. Specific Phobias Specific phobias are classified by an extreme fear or negative reaction to a certain object or situation. Fear is usually persistent and people who suffer from it may have no reason to be afraid. Phobias make up a large portion of the most common anxiety disorders. The treatment of specific phobias generally consists of gradually exposing the child to their fear or phobia; by desensitizing the child from their fear, they slowly begin to become more comfortable and tolerant. Selective Mutism Children with selective mutism often do not speak in unfamiliar social contexts, although they have no difficulty with language. These children are usually able to speak at home and around familiar people, but become quiet when in a new environment and around new people. Behavioral therapy is most often used to treat selective mutism and appears to be effective, while the use of Prozac is often used. also