Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in children and adolescents

• Children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are often described by their parents or teachers as "little adults, " in part because of the seemingly adult-like themes that populate their child's worries; for example, the health of family members or family finances and concerns about performance. Younger children may experience more vague worries of "something" bad happening to themselves, family, and friends, be concerned about other people liking them, and worry/frustration when trying to complete some task. This chapter describes a form of treatment derived from an adult model of GAD that centers around the role of intolerance of uncertainty, appraisals about worry and problems, and cognitive avoidance. For the assessment of GAD and comorbid disorders, a structured clinical interview of the child and the parents (separately if possible) is preferable. Children with primary obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder are excluded and investigated in separate trials.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult model

Child's worries

Cognitive avoidance

Comorbid disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Primary obsessive-compulsive disorder

Publication and Content Type

kap (subject category)

ref (subject category)