Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Kids
By Anna Scetinina, MACP, RP, author of A Workbook for Kids Who Worry
It’s completely normal for kids to experience occasional worry, especially when facing important tasks like taking tests or dealing with uncertainty about something new, such as traveling or moving to a new home or school. Even trying something they’ve never done before, like a new class or hobby, can trigger worry. This is a part of their growth, development, and everyday uncertainty. However, when these worries become uncontrollable or very frequent, it could be a sign of a more serious concern, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Generalized Anxiety Disorder in kids shows up as uncontrollable excessive worries about various things, such as:
- Academic performance (‘What if I fail the test?’)
- Competence and abilities (‘I am the worst at math!’)
- Social interactions (‘Do my friends like me?’)
- Personal health (‘What if I get sick and have to go to the hospital?’)
- Potential conflicts in the family (‘What if my parents get divorced?’)
- Personal and family safety (‘What if we get in a car accident?)
- Future events (‘What will happen to me if my parents die?’)
- Global issues (‘What if something terrible happens in the world?’)
- Doing everyday things right or well (‘What if I’m late to class?’)
Causes of GAD
Research has shown that kids may have GAD because of their genetic makeup, abnormalities in the functioning of neurotransmitters, personality traits, and stressful or traumatic events in a child’s or family’s life.
Impact of GAD on a child’s life.
Spending a lot of time worrying and overthinking situations has multiple costs. GAD can significantly impact a child’s physical and emotional well-being, affecting their sleep routine, academic performance, and social interactions. Kids with GAD may experience various unpleasant physical symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, restlessness, upset stomach, and heart palpitations caused by constant worrying. This is not just a phase in a child’s life but a serious condition that requires attention.
GAD makes kids:
- Seek reassurance frequently
- Ruminate and overthink situations
- Avoid activities that they doubt they can do perfectly
- Self-critical
- Avoid new or challenging situations
- Indecisive
- Irritable
Helping children deal with their GAD symptoms early on in life is crucial and can have long-lasting positive benefits on their mental health in adulthood and their academic and social success. On the other hand, untreated GAD can become chronic and may contribute to the development of depression, anxiety, and drug abuse in adulthood (Joshi et al., 2023). By recognizing the signs of GAD early and taking action, parents can make a significant difference in their child’s life. If you observe signs and symptoms of GAD in your child, consult with a Doctor or a mental health professional.
To help your child cope with their GAD symptoms, you can:
- Create a supportive environment at home and coordinate support at school.
- Consider evidence-based treatments for GAD, such as ACT and CBT.
- Use various self-help resources, such as a self-help book, A Workbook for Kids Who Worry, which is based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach (ACT) and includes 50 activities for kids to develop emotional, cognitive, and behavioral flexibility. The book provides practical exercises and strategies that can be used at home to help your child manage their anxiety.
Reference:
Joshi, K. ., Gohil, D. ., Saiyed, F. ., & Gujariya, V. . (2023). A Critical Review on Different Types of Anxiety in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Coastal Life Medicine, 11(2), 850–854. Retrieved from https://www.jclmm.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1093