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Somatic complaints in anxious children.

D C Beidel¹, M G Christ, P J Long

¹Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

|December 1, 1991

Summary

Children with anxiety disorders report numerous somatic complaints, often beyond typical stomachaches and headaches. This study highlights a wider range of physical symptoms associated with childhood anxiety.

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Area of Science:

Pediatric Psychology
Child Psychiatry
Somatic Symptoms in Children

Background:

Anxiety disorders in children are often associated with physical symptoms.
Traditional views link childhood anxiety primarily to stomachaches and headaches.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the prevalence and range of somatic complaints in children diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
To compare somatic complaints in anxious children versus healthy controls.

Main Methods:

A study was conducted to assess somatic complaints in children with anxiety disorders.
Data on symptom reporting were collected and compared between anxious children and a control group of non-anxious children.

Main Results:

Children with anxiety disorders reported a wide variety of somatic complaints.
Contrary to common assumptions, stomachaches and headaches were not the most frequent symptoms reported by anxious children.
Anxious children reported significantly more somatic complaints than control participants.
Symptom patterns in anxious children suggested panic attack components, though diagnostic criteria for panic disorder were not met.

Conclusions:

Somatic symptoms are diverse in children with anxiety disorders, extending beyond commonly perceived physical ailments.
The findings suggest that a broader assessment of somatic complaints is crucial for understanding and diagnosing anxiety in children.
Somatic symptoms may play a significant role in the presentation and understanding of anxiety disorders in pediatric populations.

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