Anxiety Disorder Specialists Aliso Viejo CA

Unlike separation anxiety, school anxiety does not diminish at school arrival. Judith Kaufman, PhD, professor and Director of School Psychology Training at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey says school anxiety is fairly common and can be triggered by a single issue or a combination of factors.

Some children are reluctant to leave home because they're fearful something might happen to a family member in their absence. "A parent who is chronically ill or undergoing medical procedures can also be triggers," Kaufman explains. "Teachers, exams, challenging social relationships, making threats or promises to others that cannot be lived up to are additional reasons."

Having a focal anxiety toward something frightening such as spiders, snakes, germs, even vomit, send kids running, too. Others are just anxious in general about a wide range of issues including school.

Learning why a child refuses school is the first step toward correcting the problem but it may take some doing, warns Kaufman. "The reason for school refusal may not be obvious and parents will need to gather information from teachers, lunchroom aides, classmates, or other caregivers in order to understand what's going on inside their child's head," the expert explains. "It's important to look for patterns of behavior, but it's even more important to involve the child in a non-judgmental conversation-regardless of her age-in order to learn what her experience is."

It's not unusual for a child to be clueless about the source of the problem. "Some kids are mindful. Others need encouragement," observes Kaufman. "If the child is able, encourage her to jot down instances when he feels badly along with details about the feelings. Keeping a record can provide insight for both parent and child."

Regardless of the causes, school phobias are debilitating and should be treated with the help of professionals. Untreated school anxiety can lead to complete refusal to attend school--a condition known as School Refusal Syndrome. Children who miss school for extended periods of time are at risk for developing serious educational or social problems in the short term and adult panic disorder in the long term.

Saying Yes to School

Establishing a plan the parent can live with and consistently maintain is key. "It's all right to use reinforcement if that helps get the child to school," advises Kaufman."Try having a helpful relative take your child to school or send him there with a friend. Collaborating with school personnel may have a good result. A friendly teacher who can greet a child at the school's entrance can be a welcome sight for a nervous child."

According to Kaufman, treatment varies depending on the magnitude of the problem. "Typically, if school refusal is a recurrent issue--as opposed to a single situation--it is important to take advantage of professional help. The school psychologist or counselor may be able to help negotiate the school day and teach relaxatio...

We all know that little saying, "the only constant in life is change?" People suffering with anxiety don't like this saying very much. Those who suffer from anxiety like routine and consistency. This way, they're comfortable. A certain amount of anxiety in life is normal—moderate amounts of anxiety before an important event may enhance our performance. On the flip side, anxiety can become so severe as to limit our ability to function normally or to enjoy life.

Anxiety feelings come from a response to our environment. Research indicates that five to six percent of people with anxiety are diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD symptoms include persistent worry about many of life's day to day actives and situations. Its intensity is much more elevated than normal worry (i.e. "Will I get the job?" or "Will I have a healthy baby?"). GAD is almost compulsive in nature and uncontrollable. It has been said that there could be a link to a biological or genetic component to GAD, where some individuals are preconditioned to be more sensitive to life stressors.

Anxiety many times stems from stressors. A significant form of stressors are life changes. Life changes can range from dealing with the holidays, changes in residence, pregnancy, to the death of a spouse. While each situation has a different level of anxiety, it is important to look beyond the situation and examine the whole picture.  Once you see the whole picture, you can break issues into manageable parts that you can accomplish.  In making manageable pieces one can feel in control of the situation and lessen their anxiety because they feel a sense of accomplishment.  It can also lead to a better understanding of your current life situation.  

Studies have shown that anxiety does have a link to depression. Most individuals with anxiety do not like the worry that they will often feel hopeless about being able to control their distress which causes depression. Research shows that almost one-half of individuals who have depression also have a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and anxiety is usually diagnosed earlier than the depression. It is likely that when you get a handle on your anxiety the depression will lesson and lead to better functioning.

Tips for dealing with anxiety from life changes:

• Slow down. You need time to think and reflect. This way you can see the situation as a whole and make manageable pieces.
• Be open to change and avoid...

It's normal to feel anxious from time to time when faced with a stressful or unknown situation. However, prolonged anxiety is not normal. Anxious children worry excessively about punctuality, catastrophic events, and performance at school or sporting events. They are perfectionists, often redoing tasks they don't consider perfect. Anxious youth tend to lack confidence and strive for approval and reassurance.

About one in five young adults experience some form of anxiety. Left untreated, anxiety can lead to depression, substance abuse, and poor academic performance. Furthermore, anxious children experience significantly more lifetime negative events.

You may suspect that those who face poverty and hardship are more likely to be anxious than those who are more economically secure. In fact, research demonstrates that that anxiety is actually greater in children from a higher socioeconomic status, and the rate of anxiety in children and young adults is higher now than during the Great Depression. This is likely due to the unrealistic expectations today's parents and society establish, and our current culture--which unrealistically emphasizes wealth, looks and status.

Anxiety and depression are strongly related, although each is a distinct disorder. In a December 2009 Journal of Pediatrics study, researchers found that 13 percent of children studied had one of six mental disorders, including anxiety, and almost two percent had more than one disorder. Of those, .7 percent had an anxiety disorder.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder affects almost seven million Americans. It's marked by exaggerated worry or tension that last six months or longer. It can start at any age, although children and adults through middle age are at highest risk. Anxious people can't relax or concentrate and startle easily. They have trouble falling or staying asleep and may experience fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, trembling, irritability and lightheadedness.

Genetics may play a role in anxiety disorders. Children of parents diagnosed with anxiety are up to seven times more likely to develop anxiety disorders, and almost two-thirds of children living with an anxious adult meet the criteria for anxiety disorder. Cognitive family therapy can minimize psychological damage from anxiety.

Anxiety significantly decreases quality of life and puts individuals at increased risk for depression, substance abuse, asthma, digestive disorders and heart di...