Separation Anxiety Disorder
Although separation anxieties are normal among infants and toddlers, they are not appropriate for older children or adolescents. Children with separation anxiety may cling to their parent and have difficulty falling asleep by themselves at night. When separated, they may fear that their parent will be involved in an accident or taken ill, or in some other way be “lost” to the child forever. Their need to stay close to their parent or home may make it difficult for them to attend school or camp, stay at friends’ houses or be in a room by themselves.

Separation anxiety is often associated with symptoms of depression, such as sadness, withdrawal, apathy, or difficulty in concentrating. Young children experience nightmares or fears at bedtime.

The cause of separation anxiety disorder is not known, although some risk factors have been identified. Affected children tend to come from families that are very close-knit. The disorder might develop after a stress such as death or illness in the family or a move. Trauma, especially physical or sexual assault, might bring on the disorder. The disorder sometimes runs in families, but the precise role of genetic and environmental factors has not been established.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Children with generalized anxiety disorder worry excessively about all manner of upcoming events and occurrences—examples often include academic performance or sporting activities, being on time, or even natural disasters such as earthquakes. The worry persists even when the child is not being judged and has always performed well in the past. Because of their anxiety, children may be overly conforming, perfectionist, or unsure of themselves. They tend to redo tasks if there are any imperfections. They tend to seek approval and need constant reassurance about their performance and their anxieties.

Social Phobia
Children with social phobia (also called social anxiety disorder) have a persistent fear of being embarrassed in social situations, during a performance, or if they have to speak in class or in public. They also fear initiating conversations with others, or when they eat, drink, or write in public. Sometimes a full-blown panic attack occurs; although there are times when the reaction is much more mild.

Young children do not articulate their fears, but may cry, have tantrums, freeze, cling, appear extremely timid in strange social settings, shrink from contact with others, stay on the side during social events, and try to stay close to familiar adults. They may fall behind in school, avoid school completely, or avoid social activities among children their age.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, time-consuming, obsessive or compulsive behaviors that cause distress and/or impairment. The obsessions may be repetitive intrusive images, thoughts, or impulses. The compulsive behaviors (such as hand washing or cleaning rituals) are usually an attempt to displace the obsessive thoughts. Studies show that genetics and the child’s environment are strong influences.

Getting Help
If you have concerns or questions, help is available. Go to the find help section of this site for support and services in your area.

Sources: Wisconsin United for Mental Health, Office of the United States Surgeon General, National Institute on Mental Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Mental Health America