PSY341H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systematic Desensitization, Separation Anxiety Disorder
Document Summary
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems in children. Different from fear, it is future oriented and may occur with or without the presence of theat. Inappropriate and excessive fear when being separated from an attachment figure or worrying about harm that may happen to them. They also experience recurrent nightmares about being separated and often complain of somatic symptoms when separation occurs or is anticipated. The anxiety has to last at least 4 weeks in children and teens and 6 months or more in adults. Disorder causes distress and impairment in normal functioning and is not better explained by another disorder. Children with specific phobia display anxiety and fear at a particular object or situation for at least 6 months and those fears have to be age-inappropriate, exaggerated and interfere with normal functioning. The fear should also be culturally inappropriate and should almost always provoke immediate fear or anxiety.
