Have a kid who avoids scary situations? He may be more prone to anxiety, too. That's the finding from a new study published in the journal Behavior Therapy.
Fears are a normal part of growing up, but when a child gets so frightened of things that he tends to avoid situations and experiences, it could make him more anxious than what you'd normally expect. Researchers say this study shows that children who avoid situations they find frightening are more likely to have an anxiety disorder.
The study from the Mayo Clinic followed over 800 children between ages 7 and 18. Researchers used questionnaires they developed, called the "Children's Avoidance Measure Parent Report" and the "Children's Avoidance Measure Self Report," to gauge whether a child would avoid a situation that he happened to be scared of or worried about. Parents were also asked about their children's avoidance habits, with questions such as: "When your child is scared or worried about something, does he or she ask to do it later?" The researchers noticed that children who are so fearful that they actually avoid scary situations are also more likely to be anxious and even be more prone to anxiety disorders. It makes sense, say researchers, since kids who avoid fearful situations aren't getting the chance to face their fears and learn that those fears are manageable - and that can be anxiety provoking.
It's known that children who undergo cognitive behavior therapy that exposes them to situations that they are frightened of eventually became less fearful -- and with the findings of this new study, it could mean that such therapy will also put them at a lower risk of having anxiety. Researchers say this study is promising since it gives psychologists the tools they need to measure avoidance behaviors in young children -- and consequently it can help identify children who may be at higher risk of anxiety disorders.
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