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National Alliance on Mental Illness
Anxiety can serve an important function, however, when it becomes excessive it can become disabling. Symptoms of several anxiety disorders begin in childhood or adolescence. The following information was taken from the National Alliance on Mental Illness:
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause people to feel excessively frightened, distressed, or uneasy during situations in which most other people would not experience these same feelings. When they are not treated, anxiety disorders can be severely impairing and can negatively affect a person’s personal relationships or ability to work or study. In the most severe cases, anxiety disorders can make even regular and daily activities such as shopping, cooking or going outside incredibly difficult. Anxiety disorders can further cause low self-esteem, lead to substance abuse, and isolation from one’s friends and family.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in America: they effect 20 percent of the population at any given time. Fortunately there are many good treatments for anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, some people do not seek treatment for their illness because they do not realize how severe their symptoms are or are too ashamed to seek help. Furthermore, these disorders are often difficult to recognize for friends, family and even some doctors.
Resources
Anxiety & Depression Association of America
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
International OCD Foundation
617-973-5801
National Alliance on Mental Illness
703-524-7600
National Association of School Psychologists
National Institute of Mental Health
866-615-6464
Elementary Level Book Suggestions
What to do When You’re Scared & Worried, A Guide for Kids, by James Crist Ph.D.
Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes
What to Do When You Worry too Much, A Kids Guide to Overcoming Anxiety, by Dawn Huebner Ph.D
Is a Worry Worrying You?, by Freida Wolff & Harriet May Savitz
What to Do When Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough, A Guide for Kids, by Thomas S. Greenspan
Too Perfect, by Trudy Ludwig
Stress Can Really Get on Your Nerves!, by Trevor Romain & Elizabeth Verdick
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