Childhood Anxiety And Depression

Question 0

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Answer 0

Level of fear/anxiety associated with separation from caregiver is persistent and excessive/inappropriate for developmental age

May voice concerns about death/dying insist someone stay with them (ie at night)

Nightmares, stomachaches, nausea/vomiting when anticipating separation. Tantrums when parents leave.

Most common disorder under 12, occurs mostly in girls. Frequently occurs with social anxiety

Development: follows a stressful life even such as change of school/home death in family/pet

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Anxiety most common, coincides with other disorders ie depression

Both disorders occur more frequently in ethnic minority children

Often goes undiagnosed b/c children only report physical problems, may be unable to express words in feeling state such as “worry” and “fear”

Question 2

Theories on Childhood Anxiety

Answer 2

Psychoanalytic: anxiety like adults symbolizes unconscious conflict

Cognitive: role of cognitive biases - same cognitive distortions as adults.

Learning theorists: fears of rejection/failure carries across situations

Question 3

Treatment for Anxiety

Answer 3

Same CBT techniques as adults - gradual exposure, phobic stimuli, relaxation techniques

SSRI antidepressants

Best results in both drugs and CBT

Question 4

Depression overview

Answer 4

5% of kids 5-12 & 20% of adolescents 13-18

Girls more likely to experience 1st episode but after that not much gender difference

Feelings: same as adults

Distinctive features: refusal to attend school, clinging to parents, fear of parents dying. Conduct/academic problems, sexual acting out, hyperactivity, physical complaints

Experience loss of appetite but don’t normally show weight gain/increase in appetite.

Question 5

Childhood Depression Continued

Answer 5

Those with few friends at higher risk

Often lack academic, social, athletic skills.

Difficulty concentrating, impaired memory

Keep feelings to themselves

Episode may last upward of a year or longer and may reoccur later in life.

Question 6

Treating Depression

Answer 6

75% of youth treated with CBT show no signs of depression

CBT involves social skills training, problem solving skills, increasing frequency of rewarding activities, countering depressive thoughts

Family therapy helps resolve underlying conflicts, reorganize relationships to be more supportive

SSRI - Prozac shown most effective

Question 7

Suicide

Answer 7

Rare in childhood/adolescence more common in late adolescence/early adulthood

15-24 year olds 3rd most common cause of death

Most young people who kill themselves send out signals first

Those who discuss plan are most likely to carry them out

Question 8

Suicide Risk Factors

Answer 8

1. Gender
2. Geography - less pop = more likely
3. Ethnicity
4. Depression/hopelessness
5. Previous sucidal behavior
6. Prior sexual abuse
7. Family problems
8. Stressful life Events
9. Substance Abuse
10. Social contagion