The Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders in Children

It was not so long ago that fear and anxiety were considered a normal part of growing up. Now, it is a fact that anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders faced by children and adolescents. It may initially seem harsh to classify fear as a mental disorder but consider that if it is felt to a pathological degree, then it may lead to depression, substance abuse and even suicide. Also, if not treated, then it will lead to mental disorders in adulthood.

Everyone feels fearful and anxious at various times in their lives and children are certainly no exception. Fear is an important survival mechanism and we would not want to be without it. For children, fear of the dark, of a new situation like starting school, of being separated from their parents and in the care of a stranger such as a teacher is natural and understandable and, most importantly, temporary. When the fear does not go away and lasts for more than two weeks, then it may develop into an anxiety disorder.

When anxiety starts to impede on their willingness to try new things, to test themselves, to push themselves a little further, then it needs to be examined closely. What is childhood but a time of discovery and learning? If a child is too afraid to do these things, then they are missing out on the joy of being a child. If their timidity does not interfere with daily activities like sleep, school, playing with friends, then you can assume they are timid or shy by nature.

Children's fears are age-specific, which means that there are stages most kids go through. For example, until the age of 2, loud noises, strangers and being separated from their parents will make infants and toddlers afraid. Between 3 and 6 years of age, the imagination plays a major role with ghosts, monsters, the dark and natural phenomenon like thunder and floods. From the age of 7 until mid-adolescence, fear of doing badly at school, death, injury, bad health and the unpredictability of natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes are prevalent.

There are seven different types of anxiety disorder which affect children.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder is diagnosed when the child worries excessively about a broad range of things including things they have said and done, upcoming events, family and school. They worry to such an extent that they become restless, are irritable, tired and have difficulty concentrating. They may be unable to sleep.


• Panic Disorder is present when the child has recurring panic attacks and is anxious and fearful about having them. Avoidance behaviour is one consequence.


• Separation Anxiety Disorder occurs mostly with younger children who are anxious at being separated from their primary caregiver. They child worries about what will become of them in the caregiver's absence or what might happen to the caregiver.


• Specific Phobias occur in response to such things as the dark, spiders, bees and dogs. The fear is present to the extent that normal activities are disrupted or impossible.


• Social Phobia is more common amongst adolescents who dread humiliation in public places to such an extent that they avoid social situations.


• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder occurs when obsessions or intrusive thoughts and compulsions or repetitive behaviours interfere with daily activities. Compulsions are usually the result of the child trying to drown out unacceptable thoughts with rituals like washing their hands repeatedly.


• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder forms as the result of trauma such as the death of a loved one, an accident or divorce. The child becomes over-anxious at the lack of control they had over events and worries about future occurrences.

Anxiety Disorders do react well to treatment but the difficulty with children is that they do not know themselves that what they feel is not felt by all children. Therefore, it is up to the caregivers to recognize the problem and seek treatment for the child.