ABSTRACT
All children experience fear, worry or anxiety as a normal part of growing up, but some children suffer anxiety or fear that is excessive and debilitating. Anxiety-related disorders are some of the most common mental health problems in children and adolescents. Despite this, study of them in children is relatively recent. They often go undiagnosed and untreated and are overlooked because these children, unlike those with some other disorders, generally pose no significant management problem at school. However, if children become anxious and withdrawn and are absent from school for prolonged periods of time they can become increasingly isolated, which can lead to their social, emotional and cognitive development becoming significantly impaired. It is important, therefore, that teachers are aware of the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders so that they can intervene early.
