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Definition of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Includes Overanxious Disorder of Childhood) Preschool

Resource Type

Parent Handouts and Info - Parent

Description

Definition/criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Includes Overanxious Disorder of Childhood)

Ages

All Ages

Age Groups

Preschool/Kindergarten (3-5)

Web Address

http://resources.childhealthcare.org/cocoon/dtw/parent-text/anxiety/gad_ps.html

Languages

English

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Preschool

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Preschool

You said that your child often worries about a lot of different things. All children worry from time to time, but your child worries quite often. Your child's worries may be causing problems at home or other places. Your child has probably has been feeling this way for the past 6 months or longer. Children who have the difficulties you reported often have a problem called Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is rarely seen in children aged 3-5.

Your child has some of the following difficulties:

  • Worries often (e.g. more days than not)
  • Worries about a lot of different things (i.e. sports, friends, being on time)
  • Can't control the worries

Your child may also have several of the following difficulties:

  • Restlessness
  • Sweating
  • Feeling keyed up or on edge
  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep problems (e.g. difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or restless sleep)
  • Crying
  • Temper tantrums
  • Freezing or clinging
  • Always wants to stay close to a familiar person

You may also notice that your child acts in some of the following ways:

  • Very shy in new places.
  • Very shy with new people
  • Doesn't want to play games groups of children
  • She watches from a distance rather than playing with others (i.e. at birthday parties, preschool/ kindergarten)

Your child may seem very tense or uptight. S/he may seek a lot of reassurance. Your child may be quiet and eager to please.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a fairly common problem. Females are more likely to have these worries than males. These problems often start in childhood. It is common for other members of your family have these types of worries, too.

How you can help your child with anxiety:

  • Teach your child about anxiety
  • Help your child recognize when s/he is feeling scared
  • Have your child draw pictures of different emotions, including fear
  • Read books about characters that worry or feel scared
  • Help them think of something else to do besides worrying

Adapted in part from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Facts for FamilieĀ© series (1997), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996), and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fourth Edition (1994).

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