types of anxiety
there are several types of anxiety
disorders. The list below describes those most common to children.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder —Children with
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have recurring fears and worries that they
find difficult to control. They worry about almost everything—school,
sports, being on time, even natural disasters. They may be restless,
irritable, tense, or easily tired, and they may have trouble concentrating or
sleeping. Students with GAD are usually eager to please others and may be
“perfectionists”, dissatisfied with their own less-than-perfect performance.
Separation Anxiety Disorder —Students with separation
anxiety disorder have intense anxiety about being away from home or caregivers
that affects their ability to function socially and in school. These
students may have a great need to stay at home or be close to their
parents. Students with this disorder may worry excessively about their
parents when they are apart from them. When they are together, the
student may cling to parents, refuse to go to school, or be afraid to sleep
alone. Repeated nightmares about separation and physical symptoms such as
stomach-aches and headaches are also common in students with separation anxiety
disorder.
Social Phobia —Social phobia usually
emerges in the mid-teens and typically does not affect young students.
Adolescents with this disorder have a constant fear of social or performance
situations such as speaking in class or eating in public. This fear is
often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, blushing, heart
palpitations, shortness of breath, or muscle tenseness. Adolescents with
this disorder typically respond to these feelings by avoiding the feared
situation. For example, they may stay home from school or avoid
parties. Young people with social phobia are often overly sensitive to
criticism, have trouble being assertive, and suffer from low self-esteem.
Social phobia can be limited to specific situations, so the adolescent may fear
dating and recreational events but be confident in academic and work
situations.
