Youth Anxiety Disorders

May 21, 2001
Web posted at: 3:01 PM EDT (1901 GMT)

Curriculum connections: health

For the best possible presentation of this story, also use the video version and Web Guide from today's CNN NEWSROOM Daily Guide. Have students compare the video version to the Web news story. Ask: Do you discover different details about the subject from one story to another? In what ways does video add to or detract from this story? What is the perspective in each story? Which did you prefer in this case, and why?

After students read the CNNfyi.com article "Drugs aims to ease teens' anxiety," ask the following questions:

1. What is one of the most common problems affecting young people today? What is anxiety? What function does this emotion serve? What is the difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder? Why are some doctors concerned about using traditional medications to treat anxiety disorders in young patients?

2. What is serotonin? What is Fluvoxamine (Luvox)? With what class of drug is it associated? How does Luvox work? How do you think a child or teenager would feel about needing to take a psychotropic medication? Explain.

3. Point out to students that according to medical experts, "Anxiety disorders aren't just a case of 'nerves.' They are illnesses, often related to the biological makeup and life experiences of the individual, and they frequently run in families." Group students and have each group prepare an oral report about the causes, symptoms and treatment for one of the following childhood anxiety disorders:

• Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Specific Phobia

The Web sites below provide information that students can use to prepare their reports. After the student presentations, invite a school counselor or social worker to talk to your class about how anxiety disorders can impact people's lives.

4. Students who suffer from anxiety disorders are frequently ostracized by other students because they may behave differently than what teens may consider "the norm." Now that students are aware that such disorders are a result of incorrect levels of a body chemical -- serotonin -- discuss with them what measures they can take to be more helpful and less critical of students with psychological disorders. You may want them to think about ways in which they are helpful to students with physical impairments to see if they can consider ways to transfer their acts of kindness to other populations. (Often people find it easier to help someone with a physical impairment while they may tend to blame those with psychological difficulties.)

ADAA - About Anxiety Disorders - Children & Adolescents
NIMH: Anxiety Disorders
NIMH - Anxiety Disorders
National Anxiety Foundation, Helping Sufferers of Panic, Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Panic and Anxiety Hub-panic attacks,anxiety attacks

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