Recognizing & Treating Anxiety in Children: How to Help Kids in a Crazy World Stephanie Knueppel, LPC Stateline Mental Health Services, LLC

What is anxiety? Simply, it is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Anxiety is not the same as fear, which is a response to a real or perceived immediate threat. Anxiety is more the expectation of future threat. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, and uneasiness, usually generalized and unfocused, as an overreaction to a situation that is only subjectively seen by the person as threatening or bad.

Different Types of Anxiety Diagnosed in Children *Separation Anxiety *Generalized Anxiety Disorder *OCD *Social Phobia *Panic Disorder *Selective Mutism *Specific Phobia *PTSD (though not listed as an anxiety disorder in DSM-5)

Sources of Stress/Anxiety for Kids *School *Problems with Peers *Social Media *Home -Finances -Parental Relationship(s) -Problems with Siblings *Extracurricular Activities *The World

Diagnosing a Child with Anxiety How might a child with anxiety behave? When does fear or anxiety become a problem? When would we actually diagnose a child with anxiety?

Diagnosing a Child with Anxiety What other diagnoses might anxiety in children look like? How can we distinguish anxiety from other diagnoses? Dual Diagnoses?

What might contribute to a child having anxiety? *Biology *Parenting Behavior (Modeling; Reinforcement) *Experiences

Treatment *Therapy *Medication *Bibliotherapy/Psychoeducation *Support of Parents or Other Resources *Coordination with School, Supports, Other Providers

Treatment Strategies *CBT *Talk Therapy *Behavioral Strategies *Contingency Management -Positive/Negative Reinforcement -Shaping -Extinction

Treatment Strategies (Cont.) *Systematic desensitization *Modeling *Relaxation Training *Self-talk *Journaling *Guided Imagery *Cognitive Challenging/Restructuring *Problem Solving

What can you do to help? *Talk to kids and LISTEN *Watch *Be aware - If we are feeling stressed or anxious in a situation, our child may be as well. *Provide support *Don’t make assumptions *Be proactive vs reactive

References Craske, M. G. (1997). Fear and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, Vol 21, Issue 2. Connolly, S.D., Suarez, L., Sylvester, C. (2011). Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Current Psychiatry Reports, 13, Schniering, C.A., Hudson, J.L., & Rapee, R.M. (2000). Issues in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Clinical Psychology Review, 20, Simpson, D., Suarez, L., & Connolly, S. (2012). Treatment and Outcomes for Anxiety Disorders Among Children and Adolescents: A Review of Coping Strategies and Parental Behaviors. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14,