Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Children and adolescents diagnosed with anxiety disorder can leave a parent feeling overwhelmed and out of control. You may have many questions about the new or potential diagnosis of anxiety disorder, and seeing a professional can help control and overcome the situation. Anxiety disorders are separated into specific categories and understanding them helps with narrowing down treatment.

The most common diagnoses in children and adolescents include; generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, panic disorder and agoraphobia. The underlying theme is a difficulty to control fear or worry that causes intense distress and interferes with social and familial obligations.

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by the excessive uncontrolled worry about a variety of things in the child’s life and is accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, restlessness, and heart palpitations (Cho et al., 2019).

Separation anxiety disorder is a pathology that interferes with functioning; usually the child avoids activities that require the child to be normally separated from the caregiver such as going to friend’s houses for playdates and feels an obvious distress (including crying, being clingy.)

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by feelings of embarrassment, humiliation, and negative evaluation by others in social situations and efforts to avoid those feared situations.

Panic disorder is the repeated experience of unexpected panic attacks that include a sense of impending doom accompanied by trouble breathing, chest tightness, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness and shaking. These attacks may last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, or often longer.

Techniques to Help Children Manage Anxiety

• Deep breathing (slow inhale through nose, exhale through mouth)

• Grounding (5-4-3-2-1 senses exercise)

• Predictable routines (reduces uncertainty)

• Gradual exposure (small steps toward feared situations)

If anxiety symptoms are affecting your child’s daily life, relationships, or school functioning, professional support can make a meaningful difference. Our clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals experiencing anxiety and related conditions. Contact our office to learn more about evaluation and treatment options designed to support lasting emotional wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common anxiety disorders in children?

Common anxiety disorders in children include generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, social anxiety, and specific phobias.

How do I know if my child’s anxiety is more than normal worry?

If anxiety is affecting school, sleep, friendships, or daily activities, it may be worth seeking an evaluation.

Can telehealth help children with anxiety?

Yes. Telehealth psychiatric appointments can help evaluate symptoms, discuss treatment options, and support children and families from home.

~ Serene Wellness Psychiatry ~