'Is Anxiety Inherited'? A Study On The Problem And Its Outcome Seen On Children And Mom & Dad

It has been a known information for number of years that anxious parents can pass anxiety problems on to their children. Although this truth is well known, no one is ready to say yes to this query 'is anxiety inherited'?.

But now, a new study by the scientists at Johns Hopkins Children's Centre, came up with the result that a family-based program where parents and children are being treated jointly, can decrease the symptoms and risks of anxiety amongst these children.

Everyone can get anxious from time to time, but when the crisis starts taking over one's life, the situation is then called anxiety problem. It can be exceedingly stressful and inhibit people from living their lives fully. Some individuals with anxiety problem may also have phobias and develop panic attacks.

For the research purposes, the Hopkins investigators looked at 40 children with the ages between seven and 12 years. The children weren't diagnosed with anxiety disorder themselves but all of them had minimum one parent who was identified with the condition. What other proof do we really need to answer the question 'is anxiety inherited'.

Research workers randomly split the participants into two groups, with twenty of the children and their families taking part in an 8-week cognitive behavioral therapy program, while the other twenty were put on a waiting list and didn't receive any treatment during the period of the study, but were provided therapy one year later.

The CBT program, which consisted of 1 hour long weekly sessions, was focusing on a development of problem-solving skills, instruction about anxiety disorder, and assisted parents identify and change behaviours alleged to contribute to anxiety in the children.

The chief researcher of the research, Dr. Golda Ginsburg, PH.D., a child psychologist at Hopkins Children's Centre and an asso. professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said that according to the records gathered by the specialists, the kids of parents with an anxiety disorder are up to seven times more more likely to develop the disorder themselves, and up to 65% of kids who live with an anxious parent meet the criteria for anxiety disorder.

The results of the trial exposed that within a period of twelve months, 30 per cent of the kids who did not take part in the program, had developed an anxiety disorder, compared to none of the children who were enrolled in the family based therapy. A 40% reduction in anxiety symptoms in the year after the therapy program were independently reported by parents beside investigators who analyzed the behaviour of the children and their parents. There was no fall of anxiety symptoms observed among kids on the waiting list.

The parental behaviours adapted with therapy program included overprotection, excessive criticism and excessive expression of fear and anxiety in front of the kids. The program targeted childhood danger factors like avoiding anxiety-provoking situations and anxious thoughts.

According to a recent editorial in The New England Journal of Medicine, it is deterrence and not treatment, of childhood anxiety, that's of a primary importance, because anxiety problems affect one in every 5 children in the United States, but very often are left unrecognized. If not addressed in time, the problem can lead to depression, substance abuse and poor academic performance during childhood years and way into adulthood.

Results of the study will be available in the June issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. The study was funded by the United States government's National Institute of Mental Health. So 'is anxiety inherited', yes. Can we change the pattern of behaviour yes!

Natural And Non Drug Cure For Panic Syndrome And Anxiety Ailments
Stress and anxiety are very common in todays high paced world and most people can deal with these issues as they are only temporary phases in life. However, some may experience constant generalized anxiety (GAD) or worse still suffer from extreme panic disorder needing treatment.

Ease Your Anxiety Difficulties With The Help Of The Proper Healthy Diet
A change to your diet may seem like a lot of work, but if you tackle it slowly, then you will see positive results with your anxiety stress within a short time.

Heal Tension By Natural Means. Are You Looking For Options?
How to treat anxiety naturally, lots of people today are asking this question. Here are some ideas to help you.

Treat Anxiety Without Medication. You Could Possibly Come Across Some Other Approaches Here.
Taking medication for anxiety really isn't going to give you a real solution to your anxiety problems, however many-even doctors and other experts-appear to treat it as such. To treat anxiety without medication is becoming a popular preference

Stress And Anxiety In The Family 'Is Anxiety Inherited'
A common question about anxiety is "is anxiety inherited?" This article explores this idea further looking at research on anxiety disorder.

The Best Ways To Address Stress And Anxiety Without Medication
How to treat anxiety without medicine is a lot easier today than it was years and years ago. To treat anxiety without medication is becoming a popular preference because it helps you truly get at the core of your anxiety without suffering all the unwanted side-effects.

How To Cure Anxiety Attacks - Five Tips On How To Deal With Panic Attacks.
Several very positive tips on how to treat anxiety attacks. 5 tips that could have an immediate benefit to you.

How You Can Stop Stuttering - Can You Genuinely Cure This Condition?
If you are interested in finding out how to stop stammering then you are in the right place. Make sure you read the rest of this article.

Several Factors For Dealing With Anxiety Disorders
Do you ever think about your anxiety and how maybe you can learn techniques in managing it? Most people have too much inertia to ever get moving on it. Sometimes they stick to the old ways because they are afraid of the new.