What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves persistent, excessive worry that is difficult to control and interferes with daily life. Unlike typical worries that come and go, GAD causes individuals to feel anxious most days, often about a wide range of everyday situations.

This ongoing worry may be accompanied by physical and emotional symptoms such as:

• Feeling restless, on edge, or unable to relax
• Getting tired easily
• Difficulty concentrating or “mind going blank”
• Muscle tension (e.g., headaches, stomachaches, tight shoulders)
• Trouble falling or staying asleep

For children and teens, GAD often shows up as frequent reassurance seeking, perfectionism, or worry about things like school performance, family health, friendships, or upcoming events—even when there is no clear reason for concern.

Parents may notice that their child seems to worry about “everything and anything,” struggles to let go of worries, or has difficulty enjoying activities due to constant anxiety.

While these worries may focus on everyday responsibilities—such as schoolwork, schedules, health, or minor issues—they can feel overwhelming and exhausting. The good news is that GAD is highly treatable, and with the right support, individuals can learn effective ways to manage worry and feel more in control.

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that can feel overwhelming and out of control. These episodes often come on quickly and may occur with or without a clear trigger.

A panic attack is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms, which may include:

• Rapid or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Shortness of breath or a feeling of being unable to breathe
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint

Because these symptoms can feel so intense, many individuals—especially during their first panic attack—may believe they are having a medical emergency, such as a heart attack, and may seek care in an emergency room.

Panic attacks can be:

• Expected, occurring in response to a specific fear (e.g., a crowded space or stressful situation)
• Unexpected, happening suddenly without an obvious cause

For children and teens, panic symptoms may show up as sudden distress, avoidance of certain places or situations, or fear of having another attack.

Over time, individuals with Panic Disorder may begin to worry about when the next attack will happen, leading to increased anxiety and avoidance behaviors that can impact daily functioning.

Panic Disorder often develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, but it can occur at any age and may also co-occur with other conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The good news is that panic disorder is highly treatable, and with the right support, individuals can learn to understand and manage panic symptoms effectively.

What is a Specific Phobia?

A Specific Phobia is an intense, persistent fear of a particular object, situation, or activity that is not actually dangerous or is far more threatening than the situation warrants. While many people have fears, a phobia is different because the fear is overwhelming, difficult to control, and interferes with daily life.

Children, teens, and adults with phobias often recognize that their fear is excessive, but still feel unable to manage it. The anxiety can be so strong that individuals may go to great lengths to avoid the feared situation, which can impact school, family life, travel, or social activities.

For parents, this may look like:

• Refusing to attend school or activities
• Avoiding certain places, foods, or experiences
• Intense distress (crying, panic, shutdown) when confronted with the fear

Common examples of specific phobias include:

• Fear of vomiting (emetophobia)
• Fear of illness or germs
• Fear of flying
• Fear of animals (e.g., dogs, spiders)
• Fear of needles or medical procedures
• Fear of choking or swallowing food
• Fear of storms, darkness, or being alone

These fears can sometimes expand over time, leading to increased avoidance and disruption in daily functioning.

The good news is that specific phobias are highly treatable, especially with evidence-based approaches like Exposure Therapy, which helps individuals gradually face fears in a safe and supported way.

What is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder involving a fear of being in situations where escape may feel difficult, embarrassing, or where help might not be available if anxiety or panic symptoms occur.

This fear is out of proportion to the actual situation, persists for six months or more, and significantly interferes with daily functioning.

Individuals with agoraphobia typically experience anxiety in two or more of the following situations:

• Using public transportation (e.g., buses, trains)
• Being in open spaces (e.g., parking lots, parks)
• Being in enclosed places (e.g., stores, theaters)
• Standing in line or being in a crowd
• Being outside the home alone

As a result, individuals may:

• Avoid these situations altogether
• Only enter them with a trusted companion
• Endure them with intense fear or distress

For parents, this may look like a child or teen who:

• Refuses to leave the house or go to school
• Avoids crowded places or public settings
• Becomes highly anxious when separated from a “safe” person
• Limits activities due to fear of having a panic attack

In more severe cases, untreated agoraphobia can lead to significant restriction in daily life, including difficulty leaving the home.

A diagnosis is made when the fear is persistent, distressing, and interferes with normal functioning. The good news is that agoraphobia is highly treatable, especially with evidence-based therapies that gradually help individuals face feared situations and regain independence.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder involves a persistent fear of being judged, embarrassed, rejected, or negatively evaluated in social or performance situations. While it’s normal to feel shy or nervous at times, social anxiety becomes a concern when the fear is intense, ongoing, and interferes with daily life.

Children, teens, and adults with social anxiety often avoid social situations or endure them with significant distress. This can impact friendships, school participation, extracurricular activities, and overall confidence.

Common examples include:

• Fear of speaking in class or public speaking
• Difficulty meeting new people or joining groups
• Anxiety about eating or drinking in front of others
• Avoiding social events, parties, or group activities
• Worry about being watched, judged, or “doing something wrong”

For parents, this may look like:

• Refusal to participate in class or speak to teachers
• Avoidance of social situations or activities
• Limited friendships or difficulty initiating interactions
• Physical symptoms (e.g., stomachaches, blushing, shaking) in social settings

To meet criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder, the fear is typically present for at least six months, is out of proportion to the situation, and causes significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.

The good news is that social anxiety is highly treatable, and with the right support, individuals can build confidence, improve social skills, and feel more comfortable in social situations.

What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?

Separation Anxiety Disorder involves excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from a parent or primary caregiver. While some separation anxiety is normal—especially in younger children—this becomes a concern when it is more intense than expected for a child’s age, persists over time, and interferes with daily life.

Children with separation anxiety disorder may:

• Have persistent worry about something bad happening to a parent or caregiver
• Refuse or struggle to go to school, activities, or sleepovers
• Have difficulty sleeping alone or insist on staying close to a caregiver
• Experience frequent reassurance seeking about safety and separation
• Have nightmares about separation

Physical symptoms are also common, especially in younger children, and may include:

• Stomachaches
• Headaches
• Nausea or feeling unwell when separation is expected

For parents, this may look like intense distress at drop-offs, school refusal, or a child who has trouble functioning independently.

To meet criteria for Separation Anxiety Disorder, symptoms must be persistent (at least 4 weeks in children and 6 months in adults) and cause significant distress or impairment in areas such as school, social functioning, or family routines.

While separation anxiety can be challenging for families, it is highly treatable, and with the right support, children can build confidence, independence, and comfort with separation.