Anxiety Disorders
- Introduction
- What are anxiety disorders and what causes it?
- What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?
- How is it diagnosed?
- What is the prognosis?
- What is the risk for other family members or future babies?
- What treatments/therapies/medications are recommended or available?
- How will my child and our family be impacted?
- What are the recommendations for treating anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder?
- What are the recommendations for treating anxiety in children with ADHD?
- How long should a child with anxiety disorder be treated with medications?
- When does worry become an anxiety disorder after a stressful life event? How long is “reasonable” to allow a child to adjust to an anxiety-provoking situation such as a move without being evaluated and/or treated for an anxiety disorder?
- Resources
Introduction
What are anxiety disorders and what causes it?
What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?
How is it diagnosed?
What is the prognosis?
What is the risk for other family members or future babies?
What treatments/therapies/medications are recommended or available?
How will my child and our family be impacted?
What are the recommendations for treating anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder?
What are the recommendations for treating anxiety in children with ADHD?
How long should a child with anxiety disorder be treated with medications?
When does worry become an anxiety disorder after a stressful life event? How long is “reasonable” to allow a child to adjust to an anxiety-provoking situation such as a move without being evaluated and/or treated for an anxiety disorder?
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
Support
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
A national nonprofit organization providing information and resources for families and professionals.
The Child Anxiety Network
Parent-focused information about phobias, specific anxiety disorders in children, and treatment.
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
A national organization that provides information and resources for families and professionals, including helpline, local
chapter resources, and advocacy.
General
Anxiety Disorders Resource Center (AACAP)
Information and short videos about features, diagnosis, and treatment of anxiety disorders. Includes links to Facts for Families,
brief handouts that explain diagnosis, treatment options, and when and how to find treatment; American Academy of Child Adolescent
Psychiatry.
What to Do When You Worry Too Much
An interactive self-help book designed to guide 6–12 year olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques
most often used in the treatment of generalized anxiety. Metaphors and humorous illustrations make difficult concepts easy
to understand, while prompts to draw and write help children to master new skills related to reducing anxiety; written by
Dawn Huebner, PhD.
Family Toolkit for Anxiety (Utah Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
Information about diagnosis and help at home and school, includes complimentary treatments; info is presented alphabetically
by condition, so may need to scroll to find anxiety toolkit.
Anxiety Disorders (healthychildren.org)
Defines anxiety disorders for families; sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Emotional Problems (healthychildren.org)
Helpful information about emotional difficulties, including anxiety and associated problems; American Academy of Pediatrics.
Mental Health, Naturally by Kathi Kemper
Holistic health expert and pediatrician Dr. Kathi J. Kemper presents natural treatments used for mental health issues such
as ADHD, depression, anxiety, stress, and substance abuse; available for purchase on American Academy of Pediatrics website.
Growing Up Brave: Expert Strategies for Helping Your Child Overcome Fear, Stress, and Anxiety
Book that helps parents identify and understand anxiety in their children, outlines effective and convenient parenting techniques
for reducing anxiety, and shows parents how to promote bravery for long-term confidence; by Dr. Donna Pincus - creator of
The Child Anxiety Network, Associate Professor at Boston University, and the Director of the Child and Adolescent Fear and
Anxiety treatment Program at Boston University.
Patient Education
Acupressure for Stress and Anxiety (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Patient information about acupressure and integrative medicine.
Depression and Anxiety Fact Sheet (Utah Family Voices) ( 49 KB)
Information, tips, and resources for families.
Drugs & Supplements Related to Anxiety: Patient Information (MayoClinic)
Describes for families precautions, proper use (includes pediatric use), and side effects of drugs and supplements used for
anxiety. Can also search by first letter of drug/supplement name.
Services for Patients & Families in New Mexico (NM)
Service Categories | # of providers* in: | NM | NW | Other states (5) (show) | | ID | MT | NV | RI | UT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General Counseling Services | 103 | 216 | 150 | 169 | 33 | 441 | ||||
Psychiatry/Medication Management | 18 | 20 | 17 | 40 | 78 | 62 |
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.
Page Bibliography
American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5.
Fifth ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association;
2013.
978-0-89042-554-1
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PubMed abstract
Biederman J, Hirshfeld-Becker DR, Rosenbaum JF, Hérot C, Friedman D, Snidman N, Kagan J, Faraone SV.
Further evidence of association between behavioral inhibition and social anxiety in children.
Am J Psychiatry.
2001;158(10):1673-9.
PubMed abstract
Connolly SD, Bernstein GA.
Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.
2007;46(2):267-83.
PubMed abstract / Full Text
Houtrow AJ, Okumura MJ, Hilton JF, Rehm RS.
Profiling health and health-related services for children with special health care needs with and without disabilities.
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Individual and familial predictors of impairment in childhood anxiety disorders.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.
1998;37(4):428-34.
PubMed abstract
Merikangas KR, Avenevoli S, Dierker L, Grillon C.
Vulnerability factors among children at risk for anxiety disorders.
Biol Psychiatry.
1999;46(11):1523-35.
PubMed abstract
Wehry AM, Beesdo-Baum K, Hennelly MM, Connolly SD, Strawn JR.
Assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.
Curr Psychiatry Rep.
2015;17(7):52.
PubMed abstract / Full Text