What are the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?
Unlike adults with this disorder, children and adolescents usually do not realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. Children and adolescents with GAD often require frequent reassurance from the adults in their lives. The following are the most common symptoms of GAD in children and adolescents. However, each adolescent may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: • many worries about things before they happen • many worries about friends, school, or activities • constant thoughts and fears about safety of self and/or safety of parents • refusing to go to school • frequent stomach aches, headaches, or other physical complaints • muscle aches or tension • sleep disturbance • excessive worry about sleeping away from home • clingy behavior with family members • feeling as though there is a lump in the throat • fatigue • lack of concentration • being easily startled • irritability • inability to relax The symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (
