Remuda Ranch

Anxiety Disorders

In America today, anxiety disorders are on the rise and occur in all age groups. Currently, these disorders are the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric illnesses in young people, with about 13% of all children and adolescents ages 9 to 17 experiencing some kind of anxiety disorder. This percentage translates into four to five million individuals. Not too surprisingly, anxiety, like other psychiatric disorders, is more common in girls than in boys.

Anxiety disorders encompass a broad range of issues, everything from panic disorder to obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD. But regardless of which diagnosis it falls under, anxiety is a very real problem to those who suffer from it. This is why it is important for everyone, especially parents, to know what an anxiety disorder is and what it is not. If a girl is trepidatious about standing up in front of the class and giving an oral report, or a teen gets a case of “butterflies” before an important exam, this is not a disorder. This is simply the basic nervousness we’ve all come to expect with certain situations. However, if a child is so anxious about interacting with her peers that she is unable to attend school, or she absolutely refuses to leave home or get on an escalator because it is too terrifying, this should be considered a red flag. In other words, it is all a matter of degree. When anxiety graduates from a feeling of mild discomfort to complete irrational panic; when the fear is so great that a child begins avoiding people and situations and normal functioning is impaired, something is definitely wrong.

Anxiety disorders in the young are often triggered by life-changing events or extreme stressors. Entering middle school, or going from middle school to high school, are examples of such inordinately stressful times. Considering that puberty, with all its physical and hormonal changes, often occurs simultaneously, conditions are rife for a full-blown anxiety disorder to take hold.

Many parents are baffled as to why young people today are getting these types of psychiatric disorders. Indeed, because such a disorder cannot be “seen,” like a broken leg or a skin rash, certain parents even doubt their existence. But they do exist and the causes are varied. The lifestyle in America is not conducive to optimal health in anyone, especially the young. Children need physical activity; they need to run and play; they need to exercise. Years ago, there was so much more activity at home and school; children would play kickball at recess and ride bikes after school. People walked more. Today, with computers, television, and cars, children are far more sedentary, which means they expend less energy in a healthy fashion. Also, the stress placed on young people regarding appearance and achievement is much higher than in years past.

Interestingly, a genetic component exists with anxiety disorders, which means if a parent suffers from anxiety, this predisposition can be passed onto a child, both genetically and through modeling behavior.

Warning signs do exist as to whether a child may be a good candidate for a future anxiety disorder. These are such behaviors as an extreme reluctance to separate from a parent to visit friends or relatives or even attend school. If a child has frequent stomach aches that necessitate returning home when the child is at school or involved in social engagements with peers, this should be noted. In situations such as this, the best course of action for the parent is to encourage the child or teen to not return home, but to see it through. Helping a child to successfully face her fears will help her gain confidence. Rescuing a child and allowing her to escape only reinforces the avoidance behavior. The end result is that when the next potentially frightening event occurs, instead of attending and risking negative feelings, she just won’t go.

If you have a child, or know of an adolescent girl who is struggling with anxiety, please get help. If left untreated, anxiety can evolve into a crippling illness; but with treatment she can go on to live a healthy and productive life. For additional information or to find out about Remuda’s Anxiety Disorders Program, call 1-800-445-1900 today.