Anxiety Disorders by Patricia Newman

Anxiety Disorders

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 01:34:28 UTC

“Anxiety disorders include disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances. Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat” (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

Teen Angst or Anxiety Disorder?

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 01:35:30 UTC

Over 30% of teens in the United States suffer from anxiety disorders (Dodd, 2019).

Genetics or Environmental?

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 01:36:12 UTC

Only 30-40% of anxiety disorders are genetic (Hurley, 2022) which means most factors have to do with the environment.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (APA, 2022)

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 01:38:57 UTC

Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge

Being easily fatigued

Difficulty concentrating or losing thoughts

Irritability

Muscle tension

Irregular sleep patterns

Symptoms lasting for at least 6 days and occurring in different situations or activities while having significant impact on living life.

Social Anxiety Disorder (APA, 2022)

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 01:39:52 UTC

Fear or anxiety in social situations where one is afraid of being scrutinized. Children must experience this with peers. There is a fear of others having a negative reaction to the anxiety symptoms.

Most social situations invoke anxiety.

Children may express with crying, tantrums, freezing, clinging, shrinking or not speaking.

Social situations are avoided or extremely uncomfortable.

There is no actual threat that brings anxiety.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 02:03:50 UTC

The following short-term treatment options can be effective for anxiety disorders:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Exposure Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Parent-led CBT

Licensed Professional Counselor

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 02:06:17 UTC

A licensed professional counselor (LPC) provides professional therapeutic services to individuals and groups that involve the application of mental health, psychotherapeutic, and human development principles to facilitate adjustment and development throughout life (Professional License and Certification Unit, 2006).

Environmental Factors

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 02:18:25 UTC

Parenting styles that are overbearing or overprotective

Trauma

Abuse

Relocation

Not feeling safe

Parents that fight, argue or are going through separation

Negative Impacts of Anxiety in Children

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 02:25:09 UTC

It can affect relationships with peers

Avoiding tests or procrastinating on homework

Avoid or quit going to school

Substance use or alcohol use

A failure to set and reach goals

Social isolation

Suicide

Self-harm

References

pnewman14 — 2023-11-08 02:35:38 UTC

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders. In Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).

Dodd, J. (2019). TEEN ANXIETY: ERASING THE STIGMA “We can’t let another family feel this kind of pain.” People, 92(26), 72–75.

Hurley, D. (2022). The Anxiety Epidemic. Newsweek Global, 179(14), 20–29.

Professional License and Certification Unit. (2006, November). Licensed Mental Health Professionals in Texas: A Fact Sheet for Consumers (Publication #: E02-12527). Texas Department of State Health Services. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/doing-business-with-hhs/licensing-credentialing-regulation/csot/lmh-fact.pdf

Contact Information

pnewman14 — 2023-11-23 22:33:33 UTC

Patricia Newman, LCDC

tricianewman44@gmail.com

386-264-8437