Anxious children, according to the DSM-5-TR, often worry when away from their parents (separation anxiety). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, like most disorders, are diagnosed according to what is developmentally appropriate. For example, a young child of 3 of 4 years of age may feel distress and be anxious at day care and being away from home. However, a child of 8 or 9 years of age, who does not want to spend overnights with friends or family members other than parents because of worries that something might happen to a parent while the child is away is not developmentally appropriate.
According to SAMHSA, anxiety disorders are one of the most common disorders in childhood (samhsa.gov). In the DSM-5-TR, there are several types of anxiety disorders that include separation anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia (just to name a few).
Risk Factors and Functional Consequences
Risk factors for anxiety include shyness, or behavioral inhibition, in childhood (NIH.gov). The DSM-5-TR reflects that most anxiety disorders occur more frequently in females than in males (approximately 2:1 ratio). For social anxiety, the median age at onset is 13 years, and 75% of individuals have an age at onset between 8 and 15 years. So, you can see that these disorders have their roots in childhood and for social anxiety, and can result following a stressful or humiliating experience such as being bullied. Functional consequences can include isolation and impairment in social situations.
Be sure to review this week's resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
Reference
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., Text Revised). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety Disorders.
SAMHSA. Understanding Anxiety Disorders Caregiver: Get the Facts.
Background
Develop a PowerPoint presentation to deliver to your local National Alliance on Mental Illness regarding anxiety in childhood and adolescents. Access the NFFCMH to find your local chapter. Keep in mind who your audience is as you prepare your presentation.
Incorporate appropriate animations, transitions, and graphics as well as speaker notes for each slide. The speaker notes may be comprised of brief paragraphs or bulleted lists.
Slide 3: Normal vs. Clinical Anxiety
Slide Title: When is Worry a Problem?
Presenter's Notes:
It's important to distinguish between developmentally appropriate worry and clinical anxiety. A 3-year-old child feeling distressed when dropped off at daycare is normal. However, an 8-year-old who is unable to have a sleepover with friends due to an intense, irrational fear that something will happen to their parents while they're away may be experiencing Separation Anxiety Disorder. The key is to look at the intensity, duration, and functional consequences of the anxiety. Is it preventing the child from engaging in normal, age-appropriate activities? If so, it may be a sign of a disorder.
Slide 4: Common Types of Anxiety Disorders in Youth
Slide Title: Key Diagnoses from the DSM-5-TR
Presenter's Notes:
Let's briefly touch on a few key types of anxiety disorders.
Separation Anxiety Disorder: This is an excessive fear of being away from a major attachment figure.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by a marked fear or anxiety about social situations where the individual may be scrutinized by others. The median onset is 13 years old, often following a stressful event like bullying.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Involves excessive worry about a variety of things, such as school performance, future events, or health.
It's crucial to remember that these disorders can often co-occur.
Slide 5: Risk Factors
Slide Title: What Puts a Child at Risk?
Presenter's Notes:
Research from the NIH and other sources has identified several risk factors for anxiety disorders.
Temperamental: Children with an inhibited or shy temperament in early childhood are more susceptible to developing anxiety later on.
Gender: Anxiety disorders occur more frequently in females than in males, with a ratio of approximately 2:1.
Genetics: A family history of anxiety is a significant risk factor.
Environmental: Traumatic or stressful life events, such as a major illness, a parent's divorce, or being bullied, can be a trigger for the onset of an anxiety disorder, particularly social anxiety.
Slide 6: Functional Consequences
Slide Title: The Impact of Unmanaged Anxiety
Presenter's Notes:
The consequences of unmanaged anxiety can be severe and far-reaching.
Academic: Difficulty concentrating, school refusal, and poor academic performance.
Social: Isolation, avoidance of social situations, and difficulty making or keeping friends.
Physical: Anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and sleep disturbances.
Sample Answer
Slide 1: Title Slide
Slide Title: Understanding and Supporting Anxious Children and Adolescents
Presenter's Notes:
Good morning, everyone. My name is [Your Name], and I'm honored to speak with the National Alliance on Mental Illness today. We'll be discussing a very common but often misunderstood issue: anxiety in children and adolescents. By the end of this presentation, I hope you will have a clearer understanding of how to identify, support, and advocate for young people struggling with anxiety.
Slide 2: What is Anxiety?
Slide Title: Anxiety: More Than Just Worry
Presenter's Notes:
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, but when it becomes persistent, excessive, and interferes with daily life, it can be a mental disorder. The DSM-5-TR, the standard for mental health diagnosis, categorizes several types of anxiety disorders, including Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia. These disorders are not just about occasional worry; they are characterized by intense fear and distress that can significantly impair a child's ability to function at home, in school, and with friends.