Generalized Anxiety Disorder In Children – I’m A Mom
Among the psychological disorders in children, anxiety problems are the most frequent. It is always difficult to diagnose this type of health condition, as it is difficult to define whether they are evolutionarily normal behaviors for the child’s age or not. However, in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), we must add the fact that this is not a specific childhood pathology, such as separation anxiety, for example.
As GAD is a more typical disorder of older ages, it is difficult to identify it in children. Especially considering that the manifestations are very similar to those that occur in an adult.
However, the lack of adequate professional follow-up can lead to serious future consequences, so it is necessary to be aware of the symptoms.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Children
GAD is characterized by a constant state of worry and anxious apprehension. Restlessness does not revolve around a specific area, as it does with social anxiety or phobias. On the contrary, it arises from a variety of multiple and diffuse aspects. So there is no clear reason for the discomfort, and the worry seems to wander from one topic to another.
The child may be aware that his anxiety is disproportionate, but he still cannot control it. This concern is present most of the time for at least six months and significantly affects the child’s social or school functioning.
Despite the lack of specificity of this anxiety, it usually relates mainly to the following topics:
- School and sports performance: there is a high level of self-demanding and perfectionism in the child, who feels that he should get the best grades and positions and is excessively concerned about this.
- Personal and close people’s safety: the child may go through a great deal of suffering, fearing that something bad will happen to him or her family. She is often afraid of theft, accident or natural disaster.
- Illness : These children may be overly concerned about minor illnesses (their own or someone they love) and often have a disproportionate fear of contracting or developing new illnesses.
In addition to this ‘fluctuating and continuous anxiety’, we also find other symptoms, such as: agitation and nervousness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue or irritability. There may also be physical symptoms, such as headache or muscle tension, as well as changes in eating and sleeping.
Aspects to be considered
- Approximately 2 to 6% of children are affected by GAD, with those close to puberty being more likely.
- Generalized anxiety disorder is not incompatible with the presence of another anxiety disorder. GAD and separation anxiety disorder can occur at the same time when anxiety exceeds the situations explained by the latter.
- Due to some of its characteristics, GAD can be confused with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), as in both cases there are difficulties with concentration and psychomotor agitation. Therefore, there needs to be a good differential diagnosis.
- There is no clear known cause that explains the origin of GAD in children. However, genetics are known to provide an element of propensity that can be accentuated by certain stressful circumstances in life. Having a history of abuse or going through significant changes or losses are factors that can contribute to the onset of this disorder.
Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Children
Sometimes, GAD is a disorder with chronic evolution and difficult to control, but most children achieve great improvements through proper treatment.
Early diagnosis can help so that the impact of the syndrome is as small as possible. There are both pharmacological and psychological treatments for the management of GAD. The use of one, the other, or a combination of the two will depend on the severity of the case and the family’s preferences.
The most commonly used medications are antidepressants and anxiolytics. They can offer good results in the short term, but it is necessary to complement the work with psychotherapy to strengthen changes in the child’s cognition and behavior.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective, as it teaches children to control their activation level and modify their distorted thoughts. The right approach can make a big difference in your quality of life.
