Children & Adolescents

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental, emotional, and behavioral problems to occur during childhood and adolescence.

Young children often express their anxiety externally. They show it by crying, meltdowns, and asking for reassurance. Preschool and Elementary kids often act more restless, irritable, and experience body or stomach aches. Adolescents often deal with their anxiety differently than younger children. They may internalize their anxiety, which means they often withdraw from people because of their fear.

Families

Families are affected by anxiety is many different ways.

• A child with anxiety can create conflict between the parents as they negotiate behavior modification strategies
• It can cause problems between siblings because the child with anxiety gets more attention
• It can also make the child or adolescent with anxiety feel guilty for all the distress they are causing their family

Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) is an effective way to identify and work through anxiety in families.  Email deb@dmertlich.com to get more information

 Young Adults

Young adults include college age and adults through their 20’s. These are very transitional times. It can be a difficult time for people to adjust to becoming an adult and dealing with many new challenges. Anxiety can become debilitating as they try to figure out their future and what they want to accomplish in their lives. College brings with it pressure, high expectations, and the unknown about their future. Entering into the workforce can be exciting, but also frightening and anxiety provoking.

Adults

Adults of all ages struggle with anxiety and stress. Life transitions can be challenging and difficult to manage. Starting new jobs, parenting children and adjusting to family issues can often create feelings of panic and worries.  When anxiety becomes excessive it can become debilitating and lead to an anxiety disorder.  Some of the common symptoms tied with anxiety include excessive and intrusive worrying, agitation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tense muscles and trouble sleeping.

According to the ADAA, "Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year."