Anxiety Disorders

Children who have already been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorders are more likely to have problems with anxiety. However, even without these underlying conditions, children and youths can experience anxiety disorders at any time.

The following anxiety disorders are common in children and youths:

• Generalised anxiety disorder: Children and adolescents with generalised anxiety disorder often experience persistent concerns and worry excessively about everyday occurrences, causing them to feel insecure and constantly need reassurance from others. They may also have excessive fear of natural disasters or accidents or feel self-conscious and lack self-esteem, affecting their well-being and social life. 

• Selective mutism: Children diagnosed with selective mutism disorder often speak freely and normally in familiar environments but become mute when around certain people or in specific settings. They may actively avoid eye contact as well. This disorder typically develops before the age of 10 in young children. It is important to know that selective mutism is not a diagnosis in itself and could be related to other mental health concerns. Research shows that there may be a link between other disorders, such as depression and social phobia, with selective mutism. 

• Social phobia: Also known as social anxiety disorder, social phobia occurs when a child is excessively worried or fearful of rejection or embarrassment in social situations. Children and adolescents with this condition often worry about various scenarios, such as public speaking, class participation, starting conversations, and eating in public. Those with social phobia often skip school, keep to themselves, or avoid events that they are not required to attend. It is more prevalent in adolescents, with an average onset age of 13.

• Specific phobia: Children and youths with specific phobias may experience anxiety when they are near a certain object, person, or in a specific situation. Their anxiety and fear are so extreme that they may interfere with everyday activities such as eating and sleeping. They may experience a panic attack when exposed to the phobia. Some examples of specific phobias are fear of animals, flying, blood, hospitals, and insects. 

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Children and youths diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often do repetitive actions like washing, counting, or organising and arranging things. These actions are a response to unwanted and intrusive thoughts that they can’t get rid of. These behaviours may interfere with their relationships and cause embarrassment. If left untreated, OCD may lead to other disorders, such as depression. OCD can start at any age, but it often shows up between 8 and 12 years old or in late adolescence and early adulthood.

• Separation anxiety: Children with separation anxiety disorder often feel scared and upset when they’re away from their parents or family. Their intense fear often affects their ability to have social relationships and concentrate on academics. Examples include when a child is afraid and gets very upset when they have to go to school or playdates. They might also have trouble making friends, and may even have school refusal.
• Panic disorder: Children or youths may have a panic disorder if they often feel terrified and uncomfortable in certain situations. They may experience panic attacks, which cause symptoms such as tingly feelings, fast heartbeat, and trouble breathing. It may cause anxiety about visiting certain places that trigger these sensations. Panic disorder often starts during the teenage years, but it can begin in childhood, too.