When it comes to children and teens, there can be a million reasons for high anxiety levels.  Everything from school, peers and parents to seeing a scary movie can cause stress.  Sometimes it truly is just a phase.   However, when children consistently demonstrate symptoms of anxiety, it may, in fact, be due to an actual anxiety disorder.  In this situation, you should consider selecting a child or teenage therapist in San Diego.

General Anxiety Disorder Refers to Ongoing Worrying

So how do you tell if your child truly is suffering from an anxiety disorder of if it is just a phase?   The term “generalized anxiety disorder,” or GAD, refers to a level of worry that is persistent and also unrealistic.   Do you find that your child is worrying even though there is no real reason for his or her fears?  Has it been going on for more than 6 months?  If that is indeed the case, GAD might be at the root of the problem.

Often kids that suffer from GADS are the perfectionists who get extremely upset if they make a simple mistake.   They may also show other symptoms like difficulty concentrating, restlessness, insomnia and muscle tension.

PTSD Could Be Your Child’s Problem

If your child has actually witnessed a traumatic event and is now acting fearful or sad, he or she may have PTSD or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.  While some children can recover from experiencing stressful events by themselves, many will need appropriate counseling in San Diego.   Those who are most at risk from PTSD are those who were already prone to anxiety or who lack a support network around them.

What About Separation Anxiety in Children?

Approximately 4% of kids suffer from separation anxiety.  This is much more than just kids who get scared when their parents drop them off for the first day at school.   Those with separation anxiety worry constantly about bad things happening to their parents.  They will often refuse to go to school or to socialize with friends.

Other types of anxiety disorders that impact kids include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia.  If your child or teen does indeed suffer from one of these anxiety disorders, it is essential to seek out a child or teenage therapist in San Diego before it’s too late.  When these symptoms are not tended to, they can ultimately result in everything from drug and alcohol use to bad grades in school.

Experts believe that most psychiatric disorders among adults began in childhood.  That is why it’s essential not to ignore extreme symptoms when they occur.  When it comes to your child’s happiness, seeking out counseling in San Diego can make a big difference.