Treatments for this disorder are to face the problem head on. Reassure the child that what they are feeling is simply worry and can be overcome by facing the fear. Parents must have firm insistence on the child facing their worries. For instance, when the child refuses to go to school they should be taken by someone not likely to give in. In some cases the parents are not able to adjust to this kind of treatment. If this is the case the child should be put on medications. The most commonly used medicine is called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These help control the symptoms of anxiety by regulating the balance of serotonin in the brain(When You Can't Stop the Worry 9). The most common SSRI is Paxil. Paxil is the first and only available SSRI that is FDA approved(When You Can't Stop the Worry 9). Another type of medication is a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Unlike SSRIs, benzodiazepines are potentially addictive and should be used with caution(When You Can't Stop the Worry 9). .
Panic Disorder is another anxiety disorder that children face. It is characterized by repeated public panic attacks or sudden rushes of intense fear. Panic attacks are normally accompanied by several physical symptoms such as a racing heart, dizziness, feelings of unreality, choking sensations and shortness of breath. Children with this disorder often worry about the next panic attack they might have and are extremely fearful of the side affects that accompany the attack. In group or individual therapy children are taught ways of recognizing and changing anxious thoughts. They are taught ways of overcoming fear and avoidance of certain physical symptoms. The main categories of medicine for Panic Disorders include SSRIs, Benzodiazepines, Tricyclic antidepressants, and Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors(Recognizing Panic Disorder 13). It is necessary for some children to combine therapy with medication.
