Anxiety affects up to one-fifth of children in the US but often is not recognized and delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to depression and substance abuse.
A recent study suggests weekly family sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy may prevent children from developing the same problems with anxiety that their parents struggle with.
Parents should seek help if they notice early signs of anxiety in children, such as physical complaints with no medical cause, avoidance of daily activities and too much worry.
Resources to find cognitive behavioral therapists: Anxiety Disorders Association of America (www.adaa.org)... Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (www.abct. org)...Academy of Cognitive Therapy (www. AcademyOfCT.org).
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