Being able to differentiate between typical and developmentally appropriate anxiety and clinical anxiety disorders in children and adolescents can be tricky. During the developmental periods of childhood and adolescence, a variety of naturally occurring periods of anxiety can be beneficial (e.g., a healthy amount of anxiety about a test encourages studying) or developmentally appropriate (e.g., being afraid of the dark). However, how can parents, teachers, or therapists recognize when anxiety is too much? The National Alliance for Mental Illness provides some helpful information regarding the recognition of clinical levels of anxiety in children and adolescents that warrant a diagnosis and intervention.

http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Anxiety_Disorders_in_Children_and_Adolescents.htm

After reading “Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents,” consider the question(s) below. Then “submit” your response.

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