Anxiety: everything you need to know!
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a common disorder in children and adolescents. It can have detrimental effects on their emotional development, behavior and overall well-being. In this article, we will explore the different types of anxiety in children and adolescents, their causes, and ways to treat them. The definition of anxiety varies depending on the prism through which we view it. The therapist looks at anxiety as a normal emotion that we need to deal with when it causes difficulties for the person experiencing it. For health professionals, it is more associated with a psychological or even pathological condition. Who is right? In practice, both are right, it is a matter of interpretation and jargon used.
Causes of anxiety in children and adolescents
The exact causes of anxiety in children and adolescents are not clear. However, several factors may contribute to the development of anxiety in youth, including:
- Genes: Anxiety can be inherited, and children with a family history of anxiety are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
- Stress: Stressful events, such as parental divorce, moving or the loss of a loved one, can trigger anxiety in children.
- Family environment: Children who grow up in a stressful or chaotic family environment may be more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
- Mental disorders: Children with other mental disorders, such as depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may be more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
How to get out of it?
While there are many ways to achieve the goal of alleviating symptoms or, better yet, overcoming them, cognitive-behavioral approaches and mindfulness are the centerpieces of our interventions. These are brief therapies in which clients observe notable progress from the very first sessions. We spend little time on the past, we are more focused on the desired future. To train, to perfect our knowledge on the subject, to learn tricks, concrete techniques tested with hundreds of clients. Participate in my anxiety training, nearly 3500 people have taken it since 2019!
Why experience anxiety?
Anxiety is an inherent human emotion. We all experience it to different degrees and at different frequencies. In many cases it is a normal negative emotion in response to threatening situations or contexts x,y,z. However, for a growing number of people, anxiety is becoming an entity in its own right and in many cases interferes with normal day-to-day functioning. For these people, it changes from a healthy anxiety to an unhealthy anxiety.
When to consult?
Whenwe suspect that our child is experiencing excessive anxiety, I recommend consulting without delay. Early intervention is the best course of action. It is not common for anxiety to subside or return to normal on its own. As in many other cases, time unfortunately does not help.
Here are some clues that may raise a red flag about anxiety:
- The person isolates himself or herself in an unusual way
- We observe cognitive rigidities, the appearance of rituals, etc.
- The person has a constant need for reassurance
- A regression in the developmental stages of children (the child who was clean starts soiling his clothes etc.)
- Appearance of nervous tics, mouth noises etc.
- The avoidance mechanism is increasingly present in the person's life
Anxiety or depression?
Anxiety and depression are very different. Anxiety is an emotion that is normal and healthy most of the time while depression is a pathology and not an emotion. In order to be called depression, several specific diagnostic criteria must be present for a certain period of time, with a certain degree of intensity and with significant disabling consequences. However, we find that in many cases, when a person suffers from chronic, acute or generalized anxiety, depression can result. Should your suffering become too great, do not hesitate to contact these professional services.
Anxiety or stress?
We need to keep in mind that both are normal body responses to a threat or perceived threat. Generally, the body's physiological responses subside once the stimulus, the stressor and the stressful context have passed. The body quickly returns to its normal state. In contrast, for anxiety, once the event or stimulus has passed, the body's alert state will remain active.
Panic attack or heart attack?
In both cases, there are several similar symptoms. The golden rule is to never take risks, in case of doubt, consult as soon as possible.
Anxiety or ADHD?
The egg or the chicken? Many symptoms are common. Anxiety is, in many cases, the common denominator of many challenges such as ADHD, oppositional disorder or depression. We can say that it is a good reflex to address the anxiety hypothesis first before thinking about ADHD.
What treatment should I follow?
Several treatments exist. There is psychotherapy, pharmacological treatment, etc. The scientific literature indicates that the combination of medication and some form of therapy, coaching or rehabilitation has the best results. Unfortunately, the long waiting lists in the public sector and the accessibility of private services mean that in many cases, medication is used alone and brings disappointing results.
What approach should be used? Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is probably the approach for which the literature indicates the most interesting results. CBT is a therapy based on understanding and changing the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. Children learn anxiety management skills and ways to cope with stressful situations.
What medication should I use?
Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Rivotril)*, and Lorazepam (Ativan) are the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine anxiolytics for the treatment of anxiety. It is also important to keep in mind that when taken for long periods of time, there is a risk of dependence.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
GAD is a state of chronic anxiety that incapacitates the person in their daily activities in which the person presents symptoms of :
- Acute and intense anxiety
- An excess of worries and foreboding of catastrophic events
- Excessive worry about one's health, the health of one's loved ones
- A constant feeling that a catastrophe is about to happen.
A multitude of physical symptoms may also be present:
- Mental and physical fatigue
- Memory impairment
- Insomnia, migraines
- Hypervigilance and irritability
- etc.
What to do when we suffer from generalized anxiety?
It is essential to seek professional help in order to propel the person suffering from generalized anxiety to a new level. Medication is also a possible solution. It is also necessary to conduct a complete examination of the person's lifestyle (sleep, diet, physical activity, quality of interpersonal relationships, etc.).
What to eat to fight anxiety?
It is essential to have a sufficient caloric intake. When we are in a caloric deficit, the body under stress produces cortisol, the stress hormone, as well as adrenaline. Also, I do not recommend a low carb diet for someone who has a stressful job and challenges with anxiety and stress. It will be important to use carbohydrates at targeted times to manage the individual's stress and maximize serotonin production. It is therefore crucial to choose a food type that will optimize the neurotransmitters involved in stress and mood management. Breakfast is particularly important for the person with this challenge.
What is performance anxiety?
The main concern associated with performance anxiety is the fear of being so anxious that we lose our nerve, freeze up in the face of a major challenge, have memory lapses, and forget everything we have studied. In many cases, there is an inherent apprehension of being judged and mocked by one's peers for this failure. There are also, in many cases, associated emotional issues (fear of no longer being loved by loved ones, fear of disappointment etc.).
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
There are several symptoms, some physical (stomach knots, stomach ache, shortness of breath, clammy hands, headaches, accelerated heart rate). Other symptoms, this time at the level of thought, may be present; avoidance mechanisms, catastrophic thoughts, counterproductive problem-solving methods, hypervigilance with regard to one's own physical symptoms, etc.
Types of anxiety in children and adolescents
Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents come in many forms. Here are the most common types:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Children with GAD are constantly worried and anxious for no apparent reason. They may be stressed by normal, everyday situations, such as going to school or sleeping alone.
Panic disorder: Children with panic disorder have unexpected and intense panic attacks that may be accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating and shaking.
Phobias: Children with phobias have an intense and irrational fear of a particular object or situation, such as spiders, heights or enclosed spaces.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Children with OCD have obsessive thoughts that lead them to perform compulsive behaviours to relieve their anxiety. For example, they may wash their hands several times a day or check several times to make sure the doors are locked.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Children with PTSD have persistent flashbacks and nightmares after being exposed to a traumatic event, such as a car accident or assault.
Who to consult?
There are many professionals who can accompany people living with this challenge. The quality of the therapeutic alliance and the bond of trust towards the intervener will be one of the greatest factors that will lead to progress. Thus, the job title of the professional is not the first criterion when choosing a resource in my opinion. You have enjoyed this content and would like to book an appointment with me. You can also take my training in the comfort of your salon or have me come to your establishment .
To learn more, check out my other articles about anxiety by clicking on the link to this word: anxiety
[…] le nombre d’adolescents souffrant d’anxiété semble à la hausse, très à la hausse. L’anxiété chez les enfants est-elle vraiment à la hausse ou y prêtons-nous seulement plus attention ? Les opinions sont […]