Child Anxiety & Phobia Problems

The most common types of fears and anxiety problems exhibited by children and adolescents are described below. For these problems to be viewed as requiring treatment at CAPP, the problems need to be associated with avoidance behavior and/or interference.

Specific and Social Phobias
Specific Phobia is characterized by an extreme and unreasonable fear of a specific object or situation such as dogs, loud noises, or the dark. Social Phobia is characterized by an extreme and unreasonable fear of being embarrassed or humiliated in front of other children or adults. Children with a Social Phobia may avoid such places as school, restaurants, and parties.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about a number of events or activities. Children may worry about their school performance, their social relationships, and their health or the health of others. Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder may seek constant reassurance and approval from others to help alleviate their worry.

Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety concerning separation from home or loved ones. Features include unrealistic worry about harm to self or significant others during periods of separation, reluctance to sleep alone or be alone, physical complaints and signs of distress in anticipation of separation. School refusal behavior is another common feature of Separation Anxiety Disorder.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by recurrent thoughts or behavior patterns that are severe enough to be time consuming, distressful and highly interfering. The most common obsessions are repeated thoughts about contamination, repeated doubts, a need to have things in a particular order, and aggressive or horrible impulses. Common compulsions are repeated washing, touching, checking, or repeating certain words or numbers.

Panic Disorder/Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder is characterized by sudden and severe attacks of anxiety. These attacks may consist of shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness, upset stomach, sweating and fear of dying or losing control. Children with panic disorder may also show Agoraphobia in which they avoid situations in which the attacks have occurred, such as shopping malls, theaters, and stadiums.