Frequently Asked Questions about Anxiety in Children

What type of anxiety symptoms might my child experience?

Symptoms can include any of the following:

• Physical Symptoms
• Sweaty palms
• Trembling
• Shaking hands and feet
• Muscle aches and tension
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Change in eating habits

Mental Symptoms

• Persistent worry (more than six months)
• Irrational fears
• Irritability
• Lack of social activity
• Fits of crying

How do I know if my child has Anxiety Disorder?

If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms for a period of at least six months, you should speak with his or her primary care physician to determine if Anxiety Disorder is a possibility.

What are the possible treatment plans for Anxiety Disorder?

The most common treatments for Separation Anxiety Disorder are often used in combination with each other and include:

Play therapy: Often used for younger children, play therapy incorporates toys as a means of treatment

Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy: Helpful for adolescents, CBT focuses on the thought processes that determine our behavioral responses

Literary Therapy: Used for younger children, literary therapy models positive behavior through stories and picture books.

Family therapy: This type of therapy incorporates the entire family to examine the ways that a child with anxiety disorder can affect everyone. It may also bring behavioral patterns of the family that reinforce the anxiety to light.

Anti-anxiety medication: As a last resort, medications may be helpful when prescribed by a doctor under special circumstances.