Anxiety disorder symptoms

Learn about: Anxiety disorder symptoms from Jennifer Cassatly, PsyD,...
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Anxiety disorder symptoms

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When a parent is concerned that their child may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, the first question I ask involve what are the symptoms? What is the frequency of the symptoms? How long do the symptoms last? And how many settings do they occur in? Children at various ages have specific fears, have worries, have stomach ailments; that in and of itself does not indicate an anxiety disorder. What we look for when assessing children with anxiety are having multiple symptoms across domains. Those can include irritability, tearfulness, frequent tantrums, even oppositionalness, defiance. Children don't often have always the words to explain their internal experience and so they tend to act it out. So you may see more headaches, more stomach aches, going to the nurse's office more frequently, avoiding school, negative statements about him or herself, about their abilities, avoidance of maybe new or novel things, unwillingness to try. There are several signs or symptoms that can be indicative of anxiety but it needs to be something that, or I wold expect that it's something that occurs across setting, so at home, at school, with friends, and really is impacting their quality of life in any of those domains.

Learn about: Anxiety disorder symptoms from Jennifer Cassatly, PsyD,...

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Jennifer Cassatly, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Cassatly has extensive training and experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families. She specializes in addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, academic challenges, and low self-esteem that are often associated with youth diagnosed with learning differences, ADHD, and behavioral problems. She consults with school personnel and parents about special education, and collaborates with experts in associated fields including psychiatry, educational therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and alternative/holistic therapies. In addition, she has worked as an adjunct professor and supervises doctoral interns in both her practice and in community agencies. Dr. Cassatly is committed to community service and has been actively involved with A Home Within, Venice Family Clinic, and The Housing and Education Program at the YMCA, Santa Monica.

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