Book Review
Gladys Johnson

Anxiety is discussed as it is related to fear. Anxiety and fear are not the same. Two factors in youths that have been studied are anxious youth’s autonomic arousal and tension, and apprehension and worry. Fear occurs when there is threat. Fear is activated by the sympathetic nervous system, which some of the signs are dilated eyes, pounding heart rate, and sweating. Research has been done that reveals amygdala has an important role in fear.
Fear occurs when the threat is definite, and anxiety may be present without the perception of danger. Worrying is an example of anxiety that exist when negative thoughts are present. Worrying serves as a cognitive avoidance strategy that exhibits emotional processing. Phobias and anxiety are generally inherited. A top-down study was done on children of adults that have an anxiety disorder was studied. A bottom-up study was done on parents of children with an anxiety disorder was studied. Research was done on genetics and environmental influences in regards to anxiety in children and adolescents.
The environment plays a crucial role in the presence of phobias and anxiety in youths. The role of learning process of conditioning and modeling with its relevance on childhood fear and anxiety; as well as family factors and its association with anxiety was discussed. Societal and cultural factors that is associated with fear and anxiety. The idea of family members being associated with childhood anxiety is discussed. The first stage of the two stage model deals with fear and anxiety with regard to classical conditioning. The three aetiological accounts for pathological fear and anxiety in youths are biological in nature and environment and pertain to parental behaviors, and interaction of biological and environmental factors in accessing the fear and anxiety in children and adolescents, self-report instruments were used to measure childhood anxiety symptoms. Treatments for phobias and anxiety in children and adolescents are discussed. Cognitive behavioral intervention is explored as treatment for phobias and anxiety.
According to the textbook, some theorists have said that fear and anxiety are the same. While others disagree and say that they are quite different. The textbook goes with the majority and so it talks about fear and anxiety as meaning different things. The book and textbook both explains that the characteristics of fear as a physical survival and anxiety as a social survival. Fear is caused by the fight-flight system and BIS. The BIS is activating thru unconditional and conditional stimuli. Desensitization aids in helping people cope with phobias. In the textbook Gray explains that anti-anxiety drugs affect the BIS system and not fight or flight system. The top -down and bottom-up theories; the top down theory says that happiness. The bottom –up pleasure is determined thru happiness by seeing the positive things in life. Anxious people view the world as a threat. They deal with threat threatening stimuli first. Anxiety is not a state of hyperarousal, according to theorists.
Unwanted and intrusive thoughts are associated with anxiety. Intrusive thoughts are different from an anxiety state. Subjective well-being is the opposite of anxiety and it comes from two classes of variables. One is viewing the world in a positive attitude towards the world, and well developed habits. Some people can stay focused due to anxiety. The anxiety associated with social avoidance can have long-term effects. For example, a child with fear of being rejected can fail to learn important social skills. Anxiety in children can be caused by external factors such as divorce, death in the family, or moving. Anxiety is often overlooked or misjudged in children. Illnesses that can cause anxiety are cardiovascular and lung disease. Anxiety disorders if it is sever may affect a child’s learning as well as decision making ability. Anxiety disorders range from generalized panic disorder, panic disorders, OCD, posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, social phobia, and specific phobia. Anxiety causes range from psychological, genetic, biologic, and medical. Children with anxiety try to avoid feeling bad. Some try to avoid situations where they will end up feeling bad. Some children began to express anger and not fear.
Almost 1 in 10 children suffer from anxiety. Anxiety is a problem faced by children. Once parents find out that their child has an anxiety disorder than the ways to manage anxiety could be implemented. Children respond to stress differently. Younger kids are not able to express their feelings, however older kids may be able to discuss what is bothering them. Studies done on identical twins have shown that anxiety can occur in one twin and not the other.
The most common reaction tendencies to anxiety are: self-talk, (All dogs want to bite me) escape and avoidance behavior, (a child bitten by a certain dog after stepping on its tail) and inappropriate responses to a fearful child (parent scalds a child for feeling afraid instead of rewarding the child’s effort and courage). TLC is an excellent way of easing anxiety in children. Other ways of easing anxiety are: don’t dismiss the child feelings (encourage him to share his feelings and thoughts), listen (be there for the child and let him know you care), offer comfort and distraction (do something he enjoys), get them outside (exercise or just take a walk), stay to routine (regular bedtime), and keep your child healthy (proper diet and sleep). These simple ways are effective in helping your child maintain his feelings. Girls seem to be affected by anxiety problems more often than boys. Familiar complaints “I do not want to go to school”, and “I have a tummy ache” are common complaints to miss school.
If you suspect that your child has an anxiety problem them seek professional help from A Mental Health Physician. Once your child has been properly diagnosed, you can start helping him lead a stress free life.The book discusses research on the pathogens sis of fear and anxiety. It discusses the idea of the factors that are thought to be involved in the development of abnormal fear and anxiety in children and adolescents this knowledge is integrated in a comprehensive model. The scientific status on the psychological and pharmacological treatment and assessment of anxiety disorders in youth. Research literature is discussed on the cause of childhood anxiety, as well as the existence and treatment of it. Intervention strategies were discussed. This author’s primary area of research is his focus on anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. At the end of the book questionnaires for measuring anxiety and related concepts that can be explored for research purposed is listed. If you suspect that your child has an anxiety problem them seek professional help from A Mental Health Physician. Once your child has been properly diagnosed, you can start helping him lead a stress free life.

Bibliography
Muris, Peter. Normal and Abnormal Fear and Anxiety in children and Adolescents . MA: Elservier Science & Technology, 2007.