Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli R. Lebowitz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Child Anxiety ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Supportive Parenting ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are the most common mental health problems of childhood and adolescence. Parents of anxious children struggle with how to help their child and are faced with constant dilemmas, such as how to respond to their child’s anxiety. This book provides a practical step-by-step guide for parents to help children and adolescents overcome anxiety and OCD in a positive and loving manner. It builds on rich clinical experience and on rigorous scientific evidence for the efficacy of a completely parent-based program called SPACE, or Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. Working through the steps in the book, parents replace accommodating behaviors—which can maintain the child’s symptoms—with supportive responses that convey both acceptance of the child’s genuine difficulty and confidence in the ability to cope.

scholarly journals Involvement of psychology as a science in teaching by reducing anxiety in students and teachers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Leutanu ◽  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Personal Relationships ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Learning Disorder ◽  
School Anxiety ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
And Performance

Psychology as a science investigates the most common mental health problems during childhood and adolescence, including anxiety disorders. When the child begins to doubt his abilities in a subject, anxiety can become a factor that prevents him from learning or reproducing the acquired knowledge. Sometimes this can be confused with a learning disorder when it comes to just anxiety. Left untreated, anxiety disorders can affect both students' ability to study and personal relationships. In severe cases, anxiety disorders can make it difficult to go to school. Anxiety is the first intrinsic answer to the requirement of functioning and performance in conditions at least different from the conditions in which we formed our usual techniques.

scholarly journals A Selective Increase in OC Symptoms is Driving Information Seeking and Guideline Adherence During the Covid-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisa M. Loosen ◽  
Vasilisa Skvortsova ◽  
Tobias U. Hauser
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Pandemic Wave

AbstractBackgroundIncreased mental health problems as a reaction to stressful life events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, are common. Critically, successful adaptation helps reduce such symptoms to baseline, preventing long-term psychiatric disorders. It is thus important to understand whether and which psychiatric symptoms only show transient elevations, and which persist long-term and become chronically heightened. At particular risk for the latter trajectory are disorders with symptoms directly affected by the pandemic, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.MethodsIn this longitudinal large-scale study (N=416), we assessed how obsessive-compulsive (OC), anxiety, and depression symptoms changed throughout the course of the first pandemic wave in a sample of the general UK public. We further examined how these symptoms affected pandemic-related information seeking and adherence to governmental guidelines.FindingsAll psychiatric domains were initially elevated, but showed distinct adaptation patterns. Depression scores decreased during the first pandemic wave, however, OC symptoms further increased, even after the end of lockdown. These OC symptoms were directly linked to Covid-related information seeking which gave rise to higher adherence to government guidelines.InterpretationThe rise and persistence of OC symptoms, despite the ease of Covid-19 restrictions, shows that OCD is disproportionally and chronically affected by the pandemic. This is particularly worrying with regards to the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on public mental health and indicates that patients with OCD may require particular treatment efforts.

Child Anxiety

2020 ◽  
pp. 27-42
Author(s):  
Eli R. Lebowitz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Separation Anxiety ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Child Anxiety ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Adolescent Anxiety ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Illness Anxiety ◽  
Fear And Anxiety

This chapter discusses the main types of childhood and adolescent anxiety. There is no limit to the variety of things that can cause a child anxiety, but some fears and worries are more common than others. The most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorders include separation anxiety; social anxiety (also called social phobia); generalized anxiety; phobias; panic disorder; agoraphobia; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); illness anxiety; and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, which is not an anxiety disorder per se, but is commonly associated with fear and anxiety. Of all the emotional and mental health problems that occur during childhood and adolescence, anxiety is the most treatable. Treatments for childhood and adolescent anxiety include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication for anxiety. Healthy habits can also help to keep anxiety under control.

scholarly journals The Social Costs of Anxiety Disorders

1995 ◽  
Vol 166 (S27) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Leon ◽  
Laura Portera ◽  
Myrna M. Weissman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
Emergency Rooms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
The Social

Background. The social costs of anxiety disorders, which afflict a substantial proportion of the general population in the United States, are considered.Method. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Epidemiological Catchment Area Program were analysed.Results. Over 6% of men and 13% of women in the sample of 18 571 had suffered from a DSM–III anxiety disorder in the past six months. Nearly 30% of those with panic disorder had used the general medical system for emotional, alcohol or drug-related problems in the six months prior to the interview. Those with anxiety disorders were also more likely to seek help from emergency rooms and from the specialised mental health system. Men with panic disorder, phobias or obsessive–compulsive disorder in the previous six months are more likely to be chronically unemployed and to receive disability or welfare.Discussion. Once correctly diagnosed there are safe and effective psychopharmacologic and behavioural treatments for the anxiety disorders. Nevertheless the burden of anxiety disorders extends beyond the direct costs of treatment to the indirect costs of impaired social functioning.

scholarly journals O10.5. CLINICAL HIGH RISK (CHR) CRITERIA IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS NOT SUSPECTED TO DEVELOP PSYCHOSIS: NO TRANSDIAGNOSTIC SEVERITY MARKER OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S26-S26
Author(s):  
Frauke Schultze-Lutter ◽  
Chantal Michel ◽  
Benno G Schimmelmann ◽  
Maurizia Franscini ◽  
Nina Traber-Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Clinical High Risk ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Compared to adults, children and adolescents of the community more frequently report clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR) criteria. Yet, little is known about the prevalence of CHR criteria in clinical children and adolescents’ samples. Thus, we studied the prevalence of CHR criteria and symptoms in 8- to 17-year-old inpatients with disorders that have been associated with greater odds to develop psychosis in adulthood, i.e., attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, social and specific phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and Asperger’s disorder. Methods As part of the multicenter naturalistic Bi-national Evaluation of At-Risk Symptoms in children and adolescents (BEARS-Kid) study, 8- to 17-year-olds of the community (N=235) and 8- to 17-year-old inpatients with any one of the above main diagnoses who were not suspected to be at increased risk of psychosis (N=306) were examined for CHR symptoms and criteria with the Schizophrenia Proneness Instrument, Child & Youth version and with the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes. Results At 6.4%, the prevalence rate of CHR criteria in the community sample did not significantly differ from the 8.2%-rate in the inpatient sample. CHR criteria and symptoms were generally associated with age but not with group membership. Discussion This indicates that, irrespective of their mental health status, children and adolescents present more frequently with CHR criteria compared to young adults of the community for whom a 2.4%-rate of CHR criteria had earlier been reported. Furthermore, these findings contradict assumptions that CHR criteria might be diagnostically puripotential or merely severity markers of mental illness. Yet, more research into these symptoms and their cause and meaning in children and adolescents is needed to understand their significance in this age group and to detect factors that convey their clinical relevance in adulthood.

Developmental Issues in Cognitive Therapy for Childhood Anxiety Disorders

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Piacentini ◽  
R. Lindsey Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Child Anxiety ◽  
Childhood Anxiety ◽  
Treatment Interventions ◽  
Developmental Issues ◽  
Childhood Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Anxiety disorders in childhood are among the most common mental health problems in this age group and are often associated with significant distress and functional impairment. This article reviews the cognitive processes thought to underlie the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders in childhood and the cognitive and behavioral treatment interventions for anxiety from this framework. Special emphasis is placed on developmental issues constraining the use of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for childhood anxiety disorders and the methods used by child anxiety researchers and clinicians to address the specific needs of this younger population. The results of several controlled trials suggest that when delivered in a developmentally sensitive fashion, CBT is a highly effective and durable treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.

scholarly journals Rapid mental health screening in conflict zones: a translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Arabic of the shortened Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25)

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon D. Perkins ◽  
Julieta Alós
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Child Anxiety ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Screening ◽  
Mental Health Screening ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

Abstract Background During conflict, children and adolescents are at increased risk of mental health problems and in particular, anxiety and depression. However, mental health screening in conflict settings is problematic and carries risk making the need for fast, easy-to-administer, screening instruments paramount. The shortened version of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25) is one method of rapidly assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms in youths. This self-report questionnaire demonstrates good internal consistency and diagnostic capacity in clinical and non-clinical populations. Nevertheless, few studies have tested the psychometric properties of translated versions of the RCADS-25 limiting its applicability worldwide. Objectives To expand the reach and utility of the RCADS-25, the present study sought to develop an Arabic version of the instrument (RCADS25-Arabic) and to explore its reliability and underlying factor structure. In light of changes to DSM classification, the effects of removing indicator variables for obsessive-compulsive disorder on the psychometrics of the RCADS25-Arabic were also explored. Method The scale was back translated into Modern Standard Arabic and administered to 250 Arabic speaking schoolchildren between 8 and 15 years of age in Syria. Mean and standard deviation were used to characterise the sample and summarize scores. The reliability and factor structure of the RCADS25-Arabic was explored using confirmatory factor analysis. Results Females were 127 and mean age was 12.11 ± SD 2.35. Males scored lower on anxiety (M 15.05 SD ± 8.0, t(248) = − 3.15, p = .003, d = 0.39) and internalizing factors (M 26.1 SD ± 13.1, t(248) = − 2.36, p = .0160, d = 0.31) with no statistical gender difference recorded for depression (t(248) = − 1.27, p = .202). Fit statistics were good for two- and one-factor solutions (χ2/df = 1.65, RMSEA 0.051, CFI .91, TLI .90 and χ2/df = 1.64 and RMSEA 0.051, CFI .91 and TLI .89 respectively). DIFFTEST showed no significant difference between models (χ2diff (1) = 0.03, p < 0.86) indicating a one-factor (internalizing) solution was preferable. No improvement in scale integrity was found after deleting obsessive-compulsive disorder items. Conclusion The RCADS25-Arabic is useful for rapid screening of depression and anxiety but is better used to identify a one-factor internalizing construct. Obsessive-compulsive disorder items should be retained in the RCADS-25.

scholarly journals Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Among University Students: Prospective Cohort Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangjun Ji ◽  
Wenjun Wei ◽  
Kai-Chen Yue ◽  
Heng Li ◽  
Li-Jing Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Anxiety Level ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Medical University

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with common mental health problems. However, evidence for the association between fear of COVID-19 and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is limited. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine if fear of negative events affects Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores in the context of a COVID-19–fear-invoking environment. METHODS All participants were medical university students and voluntarily completed three surveys via smartphone or computer. Survey 1 was conducted on February 8, 2020, following a 2-week-long quarantine period without classes; survey 2 was conducted on March 25, 2020, when participants had been taking online courses for 2 weeks; and survey 3 was conducted on April 28, 2020, when no new cases had been reported for 2 weeks. The surveys comprised the Y-BOCS and the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS); additional items included questions on demographics (age, gender, only child vs siblings, enrollment year, major), knowledge of COVID-19, and level of fear pertaining to COVID-19. RESULTS In survey 1, 11.3% of participants (1519/13,478) scored ≥16 on the Y-BOCS (defined as possible OCD). In surveys 2 and 3, 3.6% (305/8162) and 3.5% (305/8511) of participants had scores indicative of possible OCD, respectively. The Y-BOCS score, anxiety level, quarantine level, and intensity of fear were significantly lower at surveys 2 and 3 than at survey 1 (<i>P</i>&lt;.001 for all). Compared to those with a lower Y-BOCS score (&lt;16), participants with possible OCD expressed greater intensity of fear and had higher SAS standard scores (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The regression linear analysis indicated that intensity of fear was positively correlated to the rate of possible OCD and the average total scores for the Y-BOCS in each survey (<i>P</i>&lt;.001 for all). Multiple regressions showed that those with a higher intensity of fear, a higher anxiety level, of male gender, with sibling(s), and majoring in a nonmedicine discipline had a greater chance of having a higher Y-BOCS score in all surveys. These results were redemonstrated in the 5827 participants who completed both surveys 1 and 2 and in the 4006 participants who completed all three surveys. Furthermore, in matched participants, the Y-BOCS score was negatively correlated to changes in intensity of fear (<i>r</i>=0.74 for survey 2, <i>P</i>&lt;.001; <i>r</i>=0.63 for survey 3, <i>P</i>=.006). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that fear of COVID-19 was associated with a greater Y-BOCS score, suggesting that an environment (COVID-19 pandemic) × psychology (fear and/or anxiety) interaction might be involved in OCD and that a fear of negative events might play a role in the etiology of OCD.

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