Anxiety Disorder in Children: Types and Prevalence

Anxiety Disorders in Children:
Definitions and Prevalence
Prevalence:
Are Childhood Anxiety Disorders Rising?


24 % increase
in inpatient mental health and substance abuse admissions among children during 2007-2010 (ADAA)

5-8 times
as many high school and college students meet diagnosis criteria for major depression and/or anxiety disorders as was true half a century ago (still holds even when the measures and criteria are constant) (Gray, 2010)


Risks
Miss out on important
social experiences
(ADAA)
Low achievement scores
later in childhood
Educational
underachievement
as young adults
Substance abuse
and
conduct problems
Increased use of
long-term psychiatric and medical services
Greater overall
functional impairment
(Connolly et al, 2011)

Comorbidity
Depression,
ADHD,
Substance Abuse,
Panic Attacks,
Conduct Disorder
Precede onset of depression in late childhood
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Selective Mutism

Anxiety Disorders
DSM IV

Acute Stress Disorder
Social Phobia
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Attack
Specific Phobias
Anxiety Disorder due to general medical condition
Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder
Anxiety Disorder not otherwise specified
Separation Anxiety

and
Selective Mutism

Separate in DSM V:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Prevalence
2.6 %
of Canadians
aged 15 and under
have an anxiety disorder
9%-10% of preschool children
have an anxiety disorder
Equal prevalence among young boys and girls but becomes
more common in females by adolescence
.
anxiety disorders affect
1 in 8 (12.5%) children
(ADAA)
8% of teens age 13-18
have an anxiety disorder (NIMH)
Symptoms commonly emerging around
age 6
(NIMH)
AMD (Anxiety and Mood Disorders) in Ontario students
gr 7-12: 19%

2.6% - 41.2%
(highest for Separation Anxiety)
1 in 7
school aged children- NL Mental Health Association

References
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (www.adaa.org)
Canadian Institute for Health Information, Improving the Health of Canadians:Mental Health, Delinquency and Criminal Activity (Ottawa: CIHI, 2008) (www.cihi.ca)
Canadian Mental Health Association (www.cmha.ca)
Canadian Mental Health Association - NL Division (www.cmhanl.ca)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mental health Surveillance Among Children - United States, 2005-2011; Supplements, May 17, 2013 / 62(02);1-35 (www.cdc.gov)
Health Canada Ottawa, Ontario, Ministry of Health Canada, 2007 (www.hc-sc.gc.ca)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Science Writing, Press, and Dissemination Branch (www.nimh.nih.gov)
PsychCentral Professional (pro.psychcentral.com). DSM-5 Changes: Anxiety Disorders and Phobias


Conolly, S. D., Suarez, L., Sulvester, C. (2011). Assessmetn and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents.

Current Psychiatry Reports, 13 (2), 99-110.
Gray, P., (Jan. 26, 2010).The Decline of Play and Rise in Children's Mental Disorders. Freedom to Learn.
Psychology Today.
Mann, R.E., Paglia-Boak, A., Adlaf, E. M., Beitchman, J., Wolfe, D., et al. (2011). Estimating the Prevalence of Anxiety and Mood Disorders in an Adolescent General Population: An Evaluation of the GHQ12.
Published online: 27 May 2011, #Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011, Int J Mental Health Addiction (2011) 9:410-420 DOI 10.1007/s11469-011-9334-5
Rockhill, C., Kodish, I., DiBattisto, C., Macias, M., Varley, C., Ryan, S. (2010). Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents.
Current Problems in Pediatircs and Adolescent health Care, 40:66-99.

Journal of Anxiety Disorders


Anxiety Disorder
Definition
Symptoms that create
ongoing
, significant
distress
that causes
disruption in daily living
:

excessive, irrational
fear
and
dread
last at least
6 months
symptoms
can get worse
if not treated

racing pulse, heart palpitations, chest pain
shortness of breath, panting, dry mouth
blushing
nausea/vomiting
trembling, shaking, muscle tension
dizziness
hot flashes, sweating, chills
difficulties with sleep
inability to concentrate

(Canadian Mental Health Association)
(National Institute of Mental Health)