Occasional fear and worry are a normal part of any child's life. For example, young children may have a fear of the dark or of monsters. These fears often get better as a child gets older. Older children might worry about school or social situations. Anxiety disorders occur when fear and worry happen very often, they are severe, and they affect a child's ability to function in their daily life. If these problems are present for 6 months or longer, a child might be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

It is possible to have more than one type of anxiety disorder. Signs of anxiety disorder may start in childhood and continue to adulthood. If anxiety disorders are not treated, they can cause children to be sad, distressed, and have trouble in school, at home, and with peers. With treatment, children and adolescents with anxiety disorders can get better.

When To Seek Help

You should consider asking for help if:

• Your child is often worried, scared or sad
• Your child talks about hurting themselves or someone else
• Your child is having behavior problems when they are scared
• Your child has trouble getting through their daily activities
• Your child is frequently reluctant to participate in daily activities
• Your child's sadness is affecting the family

How To Get Help

You should first discuss your concerns with your child's pediatrician to rule out any medical causes of the symptoms. Help is available through Children's Wisconsin.

Treatment will depend on the type of anxiety disorder present and your child's age. Treatment could include:

• Behavioral therapy: A therapist works with the parent and child to understand and change behaviors
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A therapist works with your child to help them understand how thoughts affect feelings and teach ways of changing thoughts and behaviors in order to feel better
• Exposure therapy: A type of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches children and adolescents how to face scary situations and cope with them, in order to reduce fear.
• Medication to reduce anxiety symptoms: There are several medications used to treat anxiety disorders. Medications could be prescribed by a psychiatrist or by your pediatrician. Medication could be used together with psychotherapy or alone. Medication might make symptoms decrease but will not cure an anxiety disorder.