Anxiety Disorders

Young people who experience excessive fear, worry, or uneasiness may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are among the most common of childhood disorders. According to one study of 9- to 17-year-olds, as many as 13 of every 100 young people have an anxiety disorder (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999). Anxiety disorders include:
  • Phobias, which are unrealistic and overwhelming fears of objects or situations.
  • Generalized anxiety disorder, which causes children to demonstrate a pattern of excessive, unrealistic worry that cannot be attributed to any recent experience.
  • Panic disorder, which causes terrifying "panic attacks" that include physical symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat and dizziness.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which causes children to become "trapped" in a pattern of repeated thoughts and behaviors, such as counting or hand washing.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder, which causes a pattern of flashbacks and other symptoms and occurs in children who have experienced a psychologically distressing event, such as abuse, being a victim or witness of violence, or exposure to other types of trauma such as wars or natural disasters.

RESOURCES

OTHER RELATED SELPA RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS

    Local
  • Kern County Department of Mental Health
    The mission of Kern County Mental Health System of Care is to provide the most effective, culturally appropriate, highest quality combination of treatment and support to persons with mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, and/or addiction. For more information, please call 1.800.991.5272
  • H.E.A.R.T.S Connection
    Meetings are held monthly throughout Kern County for family members and friends. Meetings provide information on organizations and services and opportunities to meet other families to share joys, challenges and information. For more information, please call 661.328.9055.
  • Parents for Children
     Support/educational group for parents of children diagnosed with ADHD, childhood schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, OCD and other brain disorders. For more information, please call 661.868.8339 or 661.873.1828
  • HelpLine
    HelpLine is a comprehensive computerized information and referral service designed to link people in need with the appropriate community and human services. If you need help finding a community resource for health care, jobs, counseling, or housing, or need to locate services for children, seniors or persons with disabilities, please call 661.336.5200 or 1.800.273.2275

    National

  • The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)

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