Anxiety Disorder Treatment in Buffalo, NY

Anxiety in Teens and Young Adults

It is entirely normal for any person to experience some anxiety every once in a while. This response is very typical if we are in an uncomfortable situation, or if we are anticipating a stressful event that may have us feeling nervous and worrisome. However, individuals with clinical anxiety do not experience these occasional waves of anxiety, but rather, they are dealing with them constantly and at a much higher intensity than most.

Buffalo Pediatrics knows the toll anxiety can take on your child’s mental and physical health. Learn how to spot symptoms of anxiety and call 716-884-8018 to schedule your child’s appointment today.

Classification of an Anxiety Disorder

Not all anxiety disorders will share the same symptoms. While excessive worry and fear are general hallmarks of an anxiety issue, the smaller idiosyncrasies of your child’s abnormal behaviors will determine what specific type of mental health disorder they are dealing with. Some common anxiety disorders include:

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic attacks
• Social anxiety
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It is also possible for young adults to have generalized anxiety. In this case, there is no one particular source of the child’s anxiety. Instead, they feel a broad sense of worry over things in their everyday life such as their academics, family life, and often about their future plans or aspirations.

What are the Types of Anxiety Disorders?

There are several different types of anxiety disorders.  These include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-exaggerated worry about everyday life
• Social anxiety disorder-intense fear about social interaction
• Phobias-places, events or objects create powerful reactions of strong, irrational fear
• Agoraphobia-a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed
• Selective mutism– a severe anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain social situations, such as with classmates at school or to relatives they do not see very often
• Separation anxiety disorder– fear of being separated from a particular person, persons, or even a pet
• Substance/medication-induced anxiety disorder, involving intoxication or withdrawal or medication treatment

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of emotional disorder and can affect anyone at any age

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?

Symptoms of anxiety may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.

Emotional symptoms may include:

• Feelings of apprehension or dread
• Feeling tense or jumpy
• Restlessness or irritability
• Anticipating the worst
• Being watchful for signs of danger

Physical symptoms may include:

• Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Tremors and twitches
• Headaches
• Fatigue and insomnia
• Upset stomach, frequent urination or diarrhea

It is normal at times to feel anxious or worried. Sometimes these feelings can even interfere with daily activities or make it difficult to carry out a normal routine. You may even avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings from occurring.

Anxiety disorder treatment is receiving care for a certain type of anxiety through psychotherapy or medical care.

What is the Treatment for Anxiety Disorders?

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a popular treatment method used by many mental health care providers.

This therapeutic method can be implemented across a variety of mental illnesses, and it’s ultimate goal is to bring about improvements in your health. You can learn tools to use and strategies to cope with anxiety when it occurs.

Medication is also available as a treatment option for anxiety and usually involves antidepressants and sedatives. These medications help to balance brain and body chemistry, prevent anxiety episodes, and curb the severity of symptoms. Talk to your doctor to see if medication is the best route for your anxiety.

Finding Help for Your Child’s Mental Health Problems

If you begin to notice signs of  anxiety, or any other mental health disorders in your child, it is best to contact a professional as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. At Buffalo Pediatrics, our mental health specialists will work with you and your child to address their concerns and to develop healthy strategies for dealing with their disorder.

Teens and young adults rarely have enough self-awareness to seek out help on their own. This is why it is so crucial for you to be there for them to offer support and assistance as they learn how to manage their symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

For an appointment with a pediatric mental health specialist, please call 716-884-8018, or submit a request using our online form today.