Anxiety Disorders Affecting Children Are Generally Uncommon Yet Generally Misinterpreted

By Pam Herstiel

Most of children experience at least type of nervousness. It can sometimes be caused by school tests and requirements. Children don't generally develop stress disorders or irrational fears because of this. But, there are children that may show symptoms of a panic disorder for other reasons.

As much as we would like to protect the innocence of kids and prevent anything from interfering with their lives, it is not always possible. Children can be afflicted with certain types of stress disorders that are also seen in adults. This type of disorder can show its self a lot of ways. A child might seem to fret a lot. They tend to be extremely hard on themselves and strive for perfection. They might redo tasks in an effort to get them to come out exactly right. Needing to be constantly reassured that they are doing a god job is also a possible symptom.

OCD, or Obsessive- compulsive Disorder, can also be found in children. OCD is intrusive or unwanted thoughts or obsessions that can't seem to be cleaned from a person's head. They also might display strong urges to repeatedly perform ritualistic behaviors and routines to try to ease their anxieties. Although the optimum age at which a young child might be diagnosed with OCD is ten, it can be seen in children as young as 2 or three. This nervousness disorder might be seen in children through excessive hand washing, the feeling of terror that they will accidentally do something incorrectly, rechecking or counting items excessively to ward off unwelcome thoughts, etc.

Panic disorders are something different. Two unexpected panic attacks and an extra month of worrying over having another attack can diagnose a panic disorder. However this condition is more common in young adolescence then children.

Irrational fear of certain places, objects or situations can be a sign of children suffering anxiety disorders. Although childhood fears like being fearful of animals, storms or the dark can go away on their own, if a fear is persistent within the child for at least six months and interferes with their every day activities, the child is said to have a phobia. Symptoms can include suffering from a stomach ache or headache, a tantrum, becoming clingy, or freezing in place when confronted with the fear.

Traumatic events like losing a parent or physical assault can cause these types of problems. These children might display symptoms of not eating or sleeping, emotional numbing, reliving the event through bad nightmares or through playing, or fear that the event might happen again.

How these types of disorders manifest themselves can vary in adults and children. Children will not be able to express their issues the same way and they will also not have the ability to understand them the identical way either. Children suffering from stress problems may be referred to their pediatrician. - 30309

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here