ABSTRACT
Fear and worry are common in children. For fear to be considered a clinical disorder, its intensity must be greater than what would be expected for a child of a similar developmental level, and there must be noted impairment because of the fear. The nature of an anxiety disorder is that the fear is irrational. However, children with anxiety disorders often do not realize that their fears are out of proportion or irrational. Somatic complaints such as headache or nausea are frequent in children who are excessively anxious. Anxiety disorders can cause behavior problems and physical problems. Intense fears can cause a child not to engage in an activity or can cause a tantrum so the behavior can look oppositional when the true cause for refusal is the internal fear. Anxiety disorders disrupt normal psychological development. They can prevent normal periods of separation from family members. They can have significant associated morbidity. There can be severe social or academic impairment associated with the fears. Typically, poor social skills and a negative selfconcept develop (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry [AACAP], 2007a).
