Generalized Anxiety Disorder Papers
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Visual Abstract
Children with generalized anxiety disorder do not have peer problems, just fewer friends
Children with GAD have fewer friends but comparable peer relationships
November 25, 2024
author
Scharfstein L, Alfano C, Beidel D, Wong N
journal
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev
Date Published
2011 Dec
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Study Summary
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What They Studied
They aimed to compare the peer relationships and social competence of children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and healthy controls.
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What They Found
Children with GAD had fewer friends but were similar to controls in having best friends, participating in groups, and parent ratings of social competence, while children with SAD had more difficulties in these areas.
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What This Means
These findings mean that while children with SAD have more noticeable social competence issues and fewer friends, children with GAD may not have such pronounced peer relationship difficulties despite having fewer friends overall, mirroring the complexity of managing anxiety disorders as indicated in the current guidelines.
Study Summary
Study Overview
The study aimed to explore the social experiences of children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Researchers wanted to identify differences in friendships and social behaviors among kids with various anxiety disorders. The findings suggest that kids with GAD have suitable social skills but may have fewer friends compared to those with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). This highlights the importance of understanding the unique social needs of anxious children.
The research emphasizes the need to investigate peer relationships based on specific anxiety diagnoses, rather than treating all anxious children as a single group. It shows a clear distinction in social functioning among youth with different types of anxiety.
The research emphasizes the need to investigate peer relationships based on specific anxiety diagnoses, rather than treating all anxious children as a single group. It shows a clear distinction in social functioning among youth with different types of anxiety.
Abstract: background
A common assumption is that all youth with anxiety disorders (AD) experience impaired peer relationships relative to healthy control children. Social impairments have been identified among youth with certain AD (e.g., social anxiety disorder; SAD), b...more
Understanding Social Experiences
"Findings suggest that peer difficulties are not a universal feature of all childhood AD and highlight a need to better understand the social experiences and functioning of children with GAD."
Social Competence in GAD
"The findings highlight a need to more closely examine the social functioning and peer relationships of clinically anxious youth based on specific diagnoses rather than broad categories of psychopathology."
Friendship Dynamics
"Although these possibilities remain speculative at present, findings indicating children with GAD have appropriate interpersonal behaviors and the ability to make new friends suggest important differences for a reduced number of friendships compared to youth with SAD."
Study Summary
Methods
Researchers compared the social interactions of children aged 6 to 13 who had either generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), or no anxiety disorders.
They focused on various aspects of social life, such as the number of friends, having a best friend, participation in groups or clubs, and parent ratings of social competence.
They focused on various aspects of social life, such as the number of friends, having a best friend, participation in groups or clubs, and parent ratings of social competence.
Abstract: methods
We therefore compared the interpersonal functioning of youth with GAD, SAD, and controls (6 to 13 years).
Study Summary
Results
Children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) had fewer friends overall but were as likely as healthy children to have a best friend and join groups or clubs. Their parents rated them as socially competent.
On the other hand, children with social anxiety disorder (SAD) were less socially competent, had fewer friends, and found it harder to make new friends compared to healthy children.
On the other hand, children with social anxiety disorder (SAD) were less socially competent, had fewer friends, and found it harder to make new friends compared to healthy children.
Abstract: results
Despite having relatively fewer friends overall, children with GAD did not differ from controls in terms of the likelihood of having a best friend, participation in groups/clubs, and parent ratings of social competence. In comparison, youth with SAD ...more
Study Summary
Conclusions
The study suggests that not all children with anxiety disorders experience peer difficulties. Those with social anxiety disorder (SAD) face more social challenges than those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
These findings indicate a need for a deeper understanding of the social lives and functioning of children with GAD.
These findings indicate a need for a deeper understanding of the social lives and functioning of children with GAD.
Abstract: conclusions
Findings suggest that peer difficulties are not a universal feature of all childhood AD and highlight a need to better understand the social experiences and functioning of children with GAD.
Background Information
Patient Guide
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Impact on Daily Life
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) causes excessive worry that affects daily activities, often treated with CBT and medications.
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Social Competence
Children with GAD show normal parent-rated social competence, implying they do not experience significant peer social difficulties.
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Number of Friends
Children with GAD typically have fewer friends, despite not facing peer relationship issues like those with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
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Participation in Groups
Kids with GAD participate in clubs and groups at similar rates to their peers, indicating active social engagement.
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Co-Occurring Disorders
GAD often occurs with other mental health disorders like depression, which can complicate social interactions.
Professional Guide
Expert Opinion: Children with GAD have fewer friends but comparable peer relationships
In line with the findings that peer difficulties in children with anxiety disorders are not universally present, certain clinical guidelines highlight critical aspects. Behavioral inhibition in toddlers can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders in childhood.
Recommendations suggest first-line treatment with SSRIs for pediatric anxiety and note potential psychiatric side effects.
Effective treatment often combines CBT with SSRIs and focuses on exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring to manage anxiety.
Recommendations suggest first-line treatment with SSRIs for pediatric anxiety and note potential psychiatric side effects.
Effective treatment often combines CBT with SSRIs and focuses on exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring to manage anxiety.
Evidence Summary
Acceptance-Based Therapy: Learning to Live with GAD
Acceptance-based therapy helps people manage Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) by encouraging individuals to accept their thoughts and emotions. This approach reduces anxiety symptoms through mindfulness and emotional acceptance.
It also equips people with skills to live alongside their anxiety rather than attempting to eliminate it entirely, fostering a more balanced relationship with their emotional experiences.
It also equips people with skills to live alongside their anxiety rather than attempting to eliminate it entirely, fostering a more balanced relationship with their emotional experiences.
Evidence Summary
Fear Overgeneralization in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People with GAD may generalize their fear from one situation to many others, leading them to avoid situations that are actually safe. This tendency to see threats where they don’t exist can make everyday experiences feel overwhelming.
Research focuses on why these perceived threats spread so widely for those with GAD and how this overgeneralization affects their behavior and decision-making.
Research focuses on why these perceived threats spread so widely for those with GAD and how this overgeneralization affects their behavior and decision-making.
Evidence Summary
Attention Modification: Shifting Focus to Alleviate Anxiety
Attention modification techniques significantly reduce the focus on worry and anxiety for individuals with GAD. By training individuals to shift their attention towards neutral or positive thoughts, these techniques can help improve their daily lives. Generalized Anxiety Disorder includes excessive worry that impacts daily functioning, and attention modification helps mitigate this by altering attention patterns.
These techniques offer a practical approach to managing anxiety by promoting mental shifts from anxiety-provoking stimuli to more positive or neutral ones.
These techniques offer a practical approach to managing anxiety by promoting mental shifts from anxiety-provoking stimuli to more positive or neutral ones.
