Anxiety Disorders

When we use the word "anxiety" most everyone understands the meaning behind this universal human emotion.  Yet when anxiety becomes severe, chronic, and interferes with our functioning and ability to enjoy life then anxiety may be diagnosed as a disorder.  And while most people understand what stress and anxiety feels like, not everyone may understand what it is like to have a phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, or be caught in the grips of a panic attack.  These types of anxiety related disorders may be especially difficult to explain to friends and family.

Children, teens, and adults having special needs may be more prone to anxiety than the general population.  The same goes for caregivers and parents of children diagnosed with special needs. It is not uncommon to find that anxiety runs in the family.  Some anxiety has a genetic component and in other cases anxiety may be a learned behavior or conditioned response.  One's brain chemistry, hormones as well as external life stressors all play a part in the development of extreme anxiety. It may be next to impossible to isolate one cause of anxiety or related disorders. 

Anxiety may co-exist with the following conditions and disorders.  Please note that this is a short list which is not inclusive of all the many varied diagnoses which fall under the umbrella of special needs.

• Mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder
• ADHD
• Autism
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Epilepsy
• Learning Disabilities

Anxiety disorders encompass a wide variance in how symptoms may manifest.  Someone with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD may re-live their traumatic memories like an endless reel in their head.  While someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD may go to the doctor with physical symptoms such as heart palpitations and feeling faint.  A child with this same disorder may complain of persistent stomach aches before going to school.  Phobias can trigger intense feelings of fear over things many others do not fear or even enjoy.  For example, my son with autism has a phobia of carousels.  Panic disorder symptoms may come out of the blue for some sufferers, leaving them helpless to an attack which kicks in the flight or fight response.  And the person with OCD may feel like a helpless victim to their rituals they must perform in order to feel safe.  For the child with special needs and anxiety, the world can seem like a nightmarish fun house with anxiety triggers around every corner.

We will be exploring the realm of anxiety and stress here on NotYourTypicalChild and how to stop it in its tracks before it causes harm to you or your child.  We will be interviewing those who have found ways to successfully manage their anxiety as well as parents and mental health professionals who offer their tips and guidance.  We welcome you to share your stories with us in hopes that they may help someone else who is facing a similar struggle.

In the meantime here are some resources to find both information and support for anxiety disorders:

• American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:  Anxiety Disorders Resource Center.
  
  
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
  
  
• The Cleveland Clinic:  Treating Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
  
  
• National Institute of Mental Health:  Anxiety Disorders
  
  
•  International OCD Foundation
  
  
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network
  
  
• National Alliance on Mental Illness