It is recognized that race, culture, ethnicity, or a combination of these may account for differences in the manifestation of anxiety disorders. Nonetheless, anxiety disorders among African Americans are under-researched (Lambert, S. F., Cooley, M. R., Campbell, K. M., Benoit, M. Z., & Stansbury, R. (2004), particularly regarding African American youth. The available adult literature indicates that African Americans experience more phobias, panic disorders, and an isolate4d sleep paralysis relative to the general population (Lambert, S. F., Cooley, M. R., Campbell, K. M., Benoit, M. Z., & Stansbury, R. (2004) African Americans’ presentation of anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder, differs from European Americans Lambert, S. F., Cooley, M. R., Campbell, K. M., Benoit, M. Z., & Stansbury, R. (2004). (). Moreover, African American adults are less likely to obtain mental health services for their anxiety disorders, even when socio-demographic factors are controlled (Lambert, S. F., Cooley, M. R., Campbell, K. M., Benoit, M. Z., & Stansbury, R. (2004). Instead, African American adults suffering from emotional distress are more likely to seek help from medical professionals than Whites, possibly due to differences in the interpretation of anxiety symptoms (Lambert, S. F., Cooley, M. R., Campbell, K. M., Benoit, M. Z., & Stansbury, R. (2004). The literature explaining anxiety problems in African American children has primarily focused on fears and suggests that the quantity, structure, and stability of African American children’s fears may differ from children of other ethnic backgrounds. These differences may be partially impacted by characteristics of the adverse environments in which many, particularly inner-city, African American youth live.
Social context influences symptoms of distress, for example, the chronic stress associated with living in urban environments may increase children’s vulnerability to developing fears, which may manifest as anxiety disorders. Children living in urban communities are at greater risk for anxiety problems to the extent that their environments are characterized by crime and violence. In excess of 80% of children residing in urban areas have witnessed community violence, with as many as 70% reporting being victims of this violence. Anxiety disorders, including simple phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and separation anxiety disorder may develop in response to chronic exposure to community violence.
Children and adolescents who are anxious and withdrawn frequently exhibit behaviors such as seclusiveness and shyness. They may find it extremely difficult to interact with others in typical social events. They tend so avoid contact with others and may often be found daydreaming. In the extreme, some of these youth begin to avoid school or refuse to attend. Their school avoidance or refusal is marked by persistent fear of social situations that might arise in school or related settings. These youth fear being humiliated or embarrassed. Their anxiety may be expressed in tantrums, crying, and other bodily complaints (stomachaches, sickness, etc.).
For many on the streets of Oakland, violence has become so commonplace, death so expected; there exists a sense of chilling resignation. An almost sinister acceptance of violence persists, leaving generations inflicted with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, similar to those of a soldier returned from combat.
"It feels like at times like the Iraq war is right here on the streets," said Franceyez, an 18-year-old rapper. "More and more violence has been created over the years. It's getting repetitive."
The tragic irony is that the people most in need of coordinated, sustained support services to deal with the trauma that violence inflicts most often do not have access to those services until after they hurt themselves or someone else, experts say. Jail, prison or juvenile hall are the most common entry points for getting help, a sign that necessary services are lacking in communities, these experts contend. Many others who need help fall through the cracks. Moreover, many who don't get the support they need never commit a serious violent crime. But a common thread among adults and youths who do get help is that they were subject to abuse, neglect and a lack of nurturing, experts say. Frequently, generations of the same family suffer from undiagnosed mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, caused by the stress of urban poverty, racism, community and domestic violence, poor-quality schools and limited access to health care. Growing up in the urban city of Richmond, California, which is the next city over from Oakland, CA, I had a first-hand experience of seeing those dealing with severe emotional disturbance (EBD) all throughout grade school, as well as in my household. I never understood how it would be acceptable for some students to curse out the teachers and forbidden for others to do the same thing. I see now that it was because the teachers were aware that that those kids who had the bad mouths, and exhibited traits of the modern class clown had behavioral as well as emotional issues. Some kids were so bad that they were separated from the whole population, at least it seemed because I never saw them until after school. Every day something occurred at my high school, whether it was a fight, an altercation, or a teacher-student argument, which usually consisted of the student, usually African-American cursing at the teacher, usually White, because the teacher reprimanded the student in front of the class.
I too, suffered from anxiety disorders, including separation anxiety disorder as well as post-traumatic stress disorder. There would be times I would be petrified of going to my local elementary school because I would get beat up every day. I would literally make my self-physically sick by worrying to the point that my asthma would flare-up. Then, I would be taken to the hospital. The constant nurturing from my mother also brought upon separation anxiety; some days I could not finish a full school day, my mother would have to pick me up early because I could not stand being away from her. Before reading these articles, I had no idea why I was the way I was, in terms of the nightmares and the horrific daydreams of my mother dying and me constantly fighting. After reading these articles, I see now that I was a victim of my environment and the anxiety disorders I possessed were ideal, for urban-city youth like me. I do not struggle with those anxieties anymore now that I am in college. However, when I return home and walk through my old neighborhood I still get that tingly sensation down my back and I do get a tad apprehensive. I now realize that my sister suffers from anxiety disorders as well. She doesn’t look forward to going to school each morning, because of the bullying and the constant struggle to get a decent education. My sister and I have it easier than most, I have friends who witnessed their friends, brother’s and sister’s death and because of the trauma, they could not make it through high school. Some dropped out, others fell victims to the streets and currently sell drugs. It’s an unfortunate cycle that’s hard to break, but now that I am somewhat knowledgeable on the subject, I will do my best to positively impact others. References
Hardman, M L., Drew, C J., & Egan, M. W (2011, 2008). Human Exceptionality. Belmont, Ca: Wadsworth.
Lambert, Sharon F., Michele R. Cooley, Karren D. M. Campbell, Mike Z. Benoit, and Rodney Stansbury. "Assessing Anxiety Sensitivity in Inner-City African American Children: Psychometric Properties of the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index." Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 33.2 (2004): 248-59. Academic Search Elite. Web. 29 Feb. 2012.
Woodall, Angela. "Violence in Oakland Creates Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder." Oakland Tribune 20 May 2008. Print.