Anxiety Disorders
Overview:
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, that can be adaptive and can be imortant to our success and our survival. Anxiety can help us to be aware of our surroundings when we are not safe, and can motivate us to focus and concentrate when preparing to speak publicly, or studying for a test.
Children have anxieties that can be developmentally normal, such as a preschooler who is fearful of the dark, or a 5-6 year old who is afraid of insects.
Sometimes, a person’s anxiety can be more severe. They may spend a great deal of time worrying, they may feel exhausted due to the energy spent worrying, or they may be unable to function to do the things that are necessary to function. Anxiety is a disorder when a person worries excessively to a degree that interferes with his or her life.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues in children and adolescents. They are also among the most effectively treated mental health issues.