Learning Diversity

Anxiety

Anxiety is feelings of worry, nervousness, apprehension about an event with an uncertain outcome, or feelings of inadequacy.  Anxiety as a mental health disorder can include the following:

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Excessive anxiety of being separated from those whom the individual is attached

distress when anticipating or experiencing separation from home or attachment figures (a parent)

Excessive worry about losing a major attachment figure, or possible harm to them

Refusal or reluctance to go out of a place due to fear of separation

Fear of being alone without a major attachment figure

Reluctance or refusal to sleep away from home or not near the major attachment figure

Repeated nightmares involving separation

The avoidance must last at least 4 weeks in children and adolescents

Selective Mutism

Failure to speak in social situations, despite speaking in other situations

Must last for at least one month

Specific Phobia

Extreme anxiety or fear of particular objects or situations

In children the fear or anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, or clinging

Must last for up to six months and be persistent during this time

Social Anxiety Disorder

Severe anxiety about being criticised or negatively evaluated by others

Meeting unfamiliar people

Being observed

Performing in front of others

In children this may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, clinging, shrinking, or failing to speak in social situations

In children, the anxiety must occur with children their own age and not just with adults

Panic Disorder

Repeated sudden surges of overwhelming fear and anxiety

May include chest pain, choking, shortness of breath, dizzy, or fear of dying

Agoraphobia 

Being in open or closed places; crowds; outside of the home alone

The fear or anxiety must last for more than 6 months

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Excessive worry about daily situations

Must be occurring most days for more than six months

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY?

The experience of anxiety will vary between individuals, but general includes:

concentration difficulties

restlessness

avoidance behaviours

increased heart rate

trembling or shaking

feeling lightheaded or faint

numbness or tingling sensations

upset stomach or nausea

sweating

It is recommended that children experiencing anxiety see a psychologist which can be organised through your GP.