Early detection and treatment of anxiety disorders can reduce their adverse effects. Early intervention is particularly important as these disorders often become apparent at critical stages of development in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Show The management plan developed for a young person with anxiety will be dependent upon a range of factors including:
The foundation for any helping relationship is establishing a therapeutic alliance, openly discussing the problem, and having a collaborative approach. Other helpful strategies that can be introduced within this helping relationship include skill development around problem solving, stress management, activity planning, and psychoeducation. A range of simple, guided self-help techniques for managing anxiety disorders has also been shown to be effective (1). Cognitive behavioural therapy is the most researched treatment for anxiety in young people, and CBT in various formats (e.g. individual, group, with family involvement, or computerized) have been found to reduce symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and OCD in this age group (2-5). Other psychological therapies including exposure-based, psychodynamic, narrative, supportive counselling, and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) have also shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and PTSD in children and adolescents (5). Medication treatments can be effective in reducing the core symptoms of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (most trials assessed the use of SSRIs (a class of antidepressants) in treating pediatric OCD) (6). However, their use in young people is cautioned given the concerns about increased risk of suicidal ideation and behaviour in children and adolescents using SSRIs (7). There is little evidence on the efficacy of other medications, including anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines (6). Therefore, combined with the concerns of dependency issues with this class of drug, the routine use of benzodiazepines in young people cannot be recommended. References 1. Cuijpers, P., Donker, T., van Straten, A., Li, J., & Andersson, G. (2010). Is guided self-help as effective as face-to-face psychotherapy for depression and anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies. Psychological Medicine, 40(12), 1943-1957. 2. James AC, James G, Cowdrey FA, Soler A, Choke A. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD004690. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004690.pub4. 3. Richardson, T., Stallard, P., & Velleman, S. (2010). Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for the prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 13(3), 275-290. 4. O'Kearney RT, Anstey K, von Sanden C, Hunt A. Behavioural and cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004856. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004856.pub2. 5. Gillies D, Taylor F, Gray C, O'Brien L, D'Abrew N. Psychological therapies for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD006726. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006726.pub2. 6. Ipser JC, Stein DJ, Hawkridge S, Hoppe L. Pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005170. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005170.pub2. 7. Hetrick SE, McKenzie JE, Cox GR, Simmons MB, Merry SN. Newer generation antidepressants for depressive disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD004851. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004851.pub3 We all react to stressful situations differently. Most of us, at some point, will have signs of anxiety, such as stress, nervousness, worry, or fear, until the situation or stressor passes. It’s a normal biological reaction. But if your symptoms become persistent and excessive or interfere with daily life, you may have an anxiety disorder. In this case, you’ll likely experience an overwhelming feeling of anxiousness that can be excessive and persistent, even when a stressor isn’t present. The symptoms are chronic and can interrupt daily life. About 31.1 percent of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Anxiety disorders include:
Read on to learn about the different types of anxiety disorders, how they’re diagnosed, and which treatment methods are available. There are several types of anxiety or anxiety disorders. Here are some of the more common types according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)If you have GAD, you’ll likely experience excessive worry that’s difficult to manage. This worry often takes the form of rumination, or spending a lot of time overthinking or mulling over different events in the future — how they may play out and how you may deal with them. It’s not uncommon to have symptoms and not be able to explain why. For people with GAD, symptoms like those listed above are present most days and for at least the past 6 months. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)A person with OCD has thoughts that are difficult to control. They may find themselves repeating actions over and over. If you have OCD, you might be extremely concerned about germs or having things in order. You may worry about feelings of aggression that you have toward others or that someone feels toward you. You may also find it hard to manage thoughts of taboo subjects, such as sex, religion, or violence. Some people repeatedly do an action, such as checking that a door is locked or counting things. A doctor might diagnose OCD if you:
Panic disorderPanic disorder is characterized by recurring, unexpected panic attacks. They often happen without warning and result in physical symptoms like:
Symptoms may also involve feeling dissociated from reality or having a sense of impending doom. In general, a panic attack lasts less than 20 minutes. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)People with PTSD experience anxiety related to a traumatic experience that has occurred in the past. It is a long-term condition that can cause symptoms for many years after the event, especially when not treated. Symptoms of PTSD usually start within 3 months of the incident. In some cases, they don’t appear until months or years later. If you have PTSD, you may experience:
Some people change their routine to avoid triggers that remind them of the event. Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)Social anxiety disorder, also referred to as social phobia, is a fear of being embarrassed, humiliated, or criticized in a public setting, like school or work. You may have trouble talking with people or being in a large group. It’s not uncommon to avoid the places and situations that trigger this phobia. PhobiasPhobias and specific phobias involve an irrational, overwhelming, and excessive fear of a place, situation, or object. Some of the more common phobias include: Separation anxiety disorderSeparation anxiety disorder is most commonly diagnosed in kids, especially young children. However, adults can also experience this type of anxiety if they have extreme fear about something bad happening to a person in their life. In children, the symptoms of fear, panic, worry, and anxiety surface when they’re separated from a parent or loved one. Adults may have extreme fear and worry about something tragic happening to a family member or loved one, even when they’re together. AgoraphobiaAgoraphobia often occurs in response to panic attacks. If you have agoraphobia, you feel extreme fear or anxiety about having a panic attack, or fear that something bad may happen in a specific place — usually outside the home. You may avoid that place, usually confining yourself to the home, to stave off the possibility of something bad happening where you can’t access support or help. You’ll often avoid feared places and situations at all costs. Other types of anxietyThe “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5)” also lists other, less common types of anxiety, including:
Some mental health conditions are commonly referred to as anxiety disorders and may have once been classified as one, but now have a separate diagnostic category in the DSM-5. They include OCD and PTSD. A mental health expert or medical doctor can diagnose anxiety. They’ll use different criteria based on the guidance of the DSM-5 to determine a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan. In addition to a lengthy physical examination and family history interview, your doctor will likely recommend a diagnostic test to assess your level of anxiety. Some of the more common diagnostic tests include:
This article can help you learn more about how anxiety is diagnosed. Anxiety may feel overwhelming and all-consuming, but there are ways to treat the symptoms so you can feel better. The most common treatment methods for anxiety include: PsychotherapyPsychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a form of treatment for mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and other emotional difficulties or issues. It typically involves a mental health professional and client working together to reduce or eliminate troubling symptoms that may be interfering with daily life. This professional can be a:
Mental health professionals have several types of psychotherapy to choose from, but some are better suited for specific issues like anxiety. While each professional uses their own treatment methods, here are some that are recommended to treat anxiety: MedicationsAntidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are both first-line pharmacological treatments for anxiety. Examples include:
Here’s more information about medications that may be prescribed to treat anxiety. Lifestyle modifications and alternative optionsComplementary approaches and lifestyle modifications for managing anxiety symptoms include: Read this for more information about treatment options for anxiety. There’s no “cure” for anxiety. Rather, with the right treatment and interventions, you can learn to manage anxiety symptoms. Treatment may require a combination of approaches. The most common forms of treatment include psychotherapy such as CBT, medications like SSRIs and benzodiazepines, and lifestyle modifications like deep breathing, exercise, and meditation. Speak with a healthcare professional if anxiety is interfering with your everyday life. |
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