Some fifty years ago, the medical profession as a whole did not believe that children and teens got depressed. While anxiety was recognized, it was relegated to the back burner and considered something most kids (and adults) experienced—physical symptoms like sweaty hands, a racing heart before a big game or important date, stomach butterflies before a test (particularly if you were unprepared). Today, extreme anxiety is recognized as a disorder, as is depression. Sometimes they go hand in hand, sometimes not. What’s key is to learn about the characteristics of both disorders and, in working with a therapist, determine which one fits most closely with your experiences.
Anxiety Disorder
We all get anxious. It’s part of the human condition. And it’s often a good thing to be concerned, even to worry. But when the worry begins to dominate your life for two weeks or more and you can’t stop, you may have an anxiety disorder. Check for the following signs:
• Desire to be “perfect”
• Need for constant approval and reassurance from others
• Easily fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Problems with sleep
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