3 wellness Anxiety in youth and adolescents Mental health is an important part of a child’s overall health and well-being. It affects how a child thinks, feels, and acts. It also plays a role in how children handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental disorders in children can be described as serious changes in the way a child learns, behaves, or handles their emotions, causing problems getting through the day. Some of the more common mental disorders that can be diagnosed in childhood are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and behavior disorders. Treatment The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that 7.1% of U.S. children ages 3 through 17 years have been diagnosed with anxiety. Anxiety disorders can vary. Symptoms generally include excessive fears and worries, feelings of inner restlessness, and a tendency to be excessively distrustful and cautious. Even in the absence of an actual threat, some teenagers describe feelings of nervousness, restlessness, or extreme stress. If your teenager is willing to talk about their fears and anxieties, listen carefully and respectfully. Help them understand that increased feelings of uneasiness about their body, performance, and peer acceptance are all natural parts of adolescence. By helping them trace their anxiety to specific situations and experiences, you may help them reduce the overwhelming nature of their feelings. It is recommended that adolescents, along with their families, seek help from their primary care doctors and other health-care providers. Sources: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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