Anxiety and Depressive Disorder Adolescents

Depression affects a significant portion of the population. This includes children and teens. In 2009, US News and World Report published an article which stated, “Serious depression afflicts two million teenagers each year” Depressive disorders consist of a variety of symptoms in the areas of mood, thinking, behaviors and physical reactions. Mood related symptoms include sadness,…

For many families the first days of school are met with excited anticipation of new friends, new teachers, and new experiences. However as many as 5% of school aged children refuse to attend school based on fears and anxiety. Emotional meltdowns and anxiety may occur at school, in the car on the way to school,…

Social anxiety is painful and anguishing for a child and or adolescent. It can interfere with social functioning, and relationships. Shy children often avoid situations where they might be judged. Avoidance is the behavior most often associated with social anxiety. Most people would not willingly or easily put themselves in a situation where they believe…

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is likely to affect 2% of the child and adolescent population at some point in their life. The disorder is equally common in males and females. Adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – IV-TR. Obsessions are distressing and persistent thoughts that are associated with anxiety. Obsessive thoughts frequently have a theme…

Panic Disorder is the experience of panic attacks followed by ongoing concern and worry about having another panic attack and/or worry about the possible consequences of a panic attack. There may be avoidant behaviors associated with, and secondary to, the panic attacks. Often associated with a panic attack is a catastrophic misinterpretation of a physical…

GAD involves an excessive worry, occurring more days than not, for at least six months, about a number of events or activities, such as work or school performance; There is difficulty controlling the worry and the worry is associated with multiple physical symptoms. The anxiety, worry or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment…