ABSTRACT
Anxiety is the feeling that exists from a threat – perceived or real. Whilst worry or feelings of anxiety may exist prior to a test or at an activity a child doesn’t like, the feelings are likely to dissipate. An anxiety disorder, however, has longevity and goes beyond preparing for an event. Anxiety may affect what a child will do or how they respond to situations. A simple approach to understanding anxiety often draws upon ideas of evolutionary psychology – that we have survived as a species because we respond to threats. These threats present a danger to our lives, for example, wild animals, heights, and fire. It is considered that humans have different responses to threats to help protect them. These are freeze (to stay in one place), flight (to run away from the threat) or fight (to physically interact with the threat).
