Given that children can suffer from the same anxiety related problems that adults do, a childhood anxiety disorder is probably just as common.
It is estimated that possibly one in eight children, between 9 and 17 years of age, suffer from anxiety disorders.
However, no one can tell for sure how many children experience these conditions because it often goes misdiagnosed or unreported.
Although it is highly treatable with proper and continued medical care, experts all agree that a childhood anxiety disorder will continue to linger on as an adult disorder, if left untreated.
To put it another way, it is vitally important to address anxiety symptoms in children as soon as possible to so they can have a normal childhood while also preventing it from becoming an adult malady.
Here is a list of symptoms for you to look for in determining if your child may possibly be suffering from any of the different forms of childhood anxiety disorder.
Separation anxiety is one of the most common problems that children develop when they begin school.
They may show irrational fear and/or panic at the thought of leaving their parents, or their home.
The child may start crying because they want to stay home and begging not to have to go to school.
They may also make up some illness in order to stay home, such as a headache, an upset stomach a toothache or some other ailment.
Social phobia is another type of childhood anxiety disorder.
This is when a child has an intense fear of being embarrassed or even humiliated in public.
They appear to be extremely shy and worry they will say or do something to embarrass themselves in front of others.
Social phobia is not the same as shyness.
Children that are shy, although they may be uncomfortable around others, don't necessarily try to avoid other children entirely.
But a social phobia can interfere with having a normal life as the child starts avoiding all social contact such as school related events and activities, parties and preferring to stay home instead of being with other children.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is defined as unreasonable worry about almost everything, and it occurs most of the time and lasts at least 6 months.
These worries include events of the past, in the present or coming up in the future.
They worry about things they have said or done in the past, about school, their own health, how they will perform academically or in competitive sports, etc.
If it is GAD, they must exhibit at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness or feeling on edge or keyed up, they're irritable, have trouble sleeping, have difficulty concentrating, are easily fatigued and have muscle tension.
Panic Disorder is when a child experiences repeated panic attacks and constantly fears that they will have more of them.
A panic attack can be described as a sudden burst of intense fear, even terror, accompanied by some frightening physical symptoms.
These symptoms often mimic those of a heart attack and include a rapid heat beat, pains in the chest, breathing difficulties, sweating, trembling and a choking sensation, to name a few.
These attacks reach their peak within ten minutes and can be completely over is as little as thirty minutes, although it can take longer.
Children who experience panic attacks often start to avoid going anywhere, or participate in normal activities, because they are fearful another attack will occur.
Symptoms, of a childhood anxiety disorder, are very much like those of other behavioral conditions.
Therefore, it's important to get professional medical help so the right treatment can be provided.