RUNNING HEAD: ANXIETY IN YOUTH 1

Anxiety in Youth:

Treating Youth with Anxiety Disorder

Alexis C. Anthony

Department of Psychology, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

PSY 3301-01: Theories of Counseling

Prof. Karen Crisp

April 12th, 2020

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Abstract

In recent years, diagnoses of psychological disorders have increased, dwindling the age

rate tremendously low. Youths are beginning to be diagnosed with anxiety disorder more than

ever. However, with the stereotype surrounding such disorders, treatment plans are far and few

to come by. Among the youths who experience anxiety, through extensive research, the

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach was found best suited for these individuals. Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy uses a treatment plan that focuses on the problem at hand with the use of

skill building activities. The purpose is to suspend the tendencies of anxiety disorder to improve

their everyday life and functions, and to live a sustainable life. Youth living with anxiety

disorder can use the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach to do just that.
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Anxiety in Youth: Treating Youth with Anxiety Disorder

Psychological disorders are much more complicated and harder to diagnosis than many

are aware of but are often looked at as a joking matter. In today’s world, anxiety seems to be a

phrase that is tossed around often. One begins to become stressed or overwhelmed and they too

simply say, “Oh, it’s just my anxiety.” As anxiety disorders, along with most of all other

psychological disorders, it is not something you can see, not something you can get a paid leave

off of work for, and something that society is, but slowly, coming to terms with. As more is

being learned about these disorders, the frequency of them being diagnosed is increasing. With

that, diagnoses are being made on younger individuals. Anxiety has no age limit, and now

youths are being greatly impacted by it.

Anxiety disorder is complex and very difficult to diagnosis. In many cases, it is hard to

tell the difference of whether it is just standard stress, or actual anxiety disorder. In an academic

journal written by Moxnes (2018), they discuss what anxiety is as defined by them from their

own findings following a psychological study they had conducted in an impatient living facility.

Their findings suggest that anxiety disorder is the act of one’s immense emotional tendencies and

display of overwhelming feelings and/or passions that they, at large, are a complete stranger to.

These tolls taken on the body from their own mind can lead to the idea of instability, no sense of

identity, and a lack, thereof, peace of mind. They continue to discuss in the study what may tend

to occur due to the anxiety disorder. They suggest that it can lead to, small, but psychotic

episodes of disorientation (Moxnes, 2018).

Youth is a term that was coined during the mid-twentieth century. It is used to describe

the age between childhood and adulthood. Common to today’s known phrases, adolescent or

teenager, a youth can be defined as an individual from the ages of 14 to the peek age of 24
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(Visanich, 2017). In today’s world, the youth that make up the society are beginning to become

more and more susceptible to psychological disorders than ever seen before. Anxiety has always

been a common diagnose in the psychological field for many years. As for anxiety in youth, it is

becoming much more frequently seen now than in the past. In an academic journal written by

Rozenman and Piacentini (2016), they discuss these very actions. They begin by stating that

with the more visits to a primary care provider a youth encounters, the more likely they are to be

diagnosed with anxiety. They follow this with the statistic that, today, one is seeing a 35 percent

increase in anxiety diagnose in youth (Rozenman & Piacentini, 2016).

In the stages of life, youth is a time of finding one’s self and experimenting with their

individuality. In an academic journal written by Visanich (2017), they propose the answers to

why this particular age group experiences the anxiety they do endure, at what some would say, a

“stress free” time of life. They suggest that, in today’s world, there is such uncertainty with job

security, youth are seeking reassurance in perusing degrees. Through this process, anxiety

begins to unravel with the increase of school work and the rise of dept, and still the idea that

employment may not be readily available after all the hard work. Along with this proposition, in

this stage of life, youth are seeking their own shelter, away from their families and childhood

homes, and exploring what their own lives can and should begin to look like (Visanich, 2017).

As this is only evidence from one academic journal, many more continue to support these ideas

as the root of anxiety in youth, and more.

The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach is found to be effective in the treatment of

numerous psychological disorders, one being the treatment of anxiety disorder. As defined by

Radomski, Wozney, McGrath, Huguet, Hartling, Dyson, Bennett, and Newton (2019), Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy targets the ability to change, or adapt, one’s attitudes and/or behaviors to
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align with the desired outcome (Radomski, et al., 2019). According to an academic journal

written by Waldron, Casserly, & O’Sullivan (2013), they discuss that the Cognitive Behavioral

Therapy approach, or CBT, focuses on the “here and now” (Waldron, Casserly, & O’Sullivan,

2013). This meaning, that this approach to treatment tries to focus on the current problem at

hand, rather than looking to the past for the answers. The following researches also discuss that

CBT teaches skills for things like successful communication, overcoming obstacles, and

promotion of one’s self and their accomplishments. Some techniques that the CBT uses in

session include and introduction to a grading scale to track performance, scheduling to add

pattern, repetition, and structure, and preparation in both relaxation and social abilities (Waldron,

Casserly, & O’Sullivan, 2013).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is also an extremely beneficial tool in today’s society as a

whole. This approach is on its way to being conducted via the internet. As therapy is a useful to

many, it is not always a viable option to all. In an academic journal written by Radomski and

collogues (2019), they discuss the difficulties those face in their inability to receive treatment.

They suggest the road blocks of finical means, lack of counselors trained in this specific field,

transportation, and demanding and conflicting schedules. Radomski and her collogues believe

that an internet based approach can lead to much appeal, especially to those of the youth. Some

of the appeals they discuss include preference of delivery, cost efficiency, and time of delivery

(Radomski, et al., 2019).

When using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, there are multiple approaches. Many

academic journals, found through research, looked at Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(ICBT) and Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GCBT). In a study conducted by Villabø,

Narayanan, Compton, Kendall, and Neumer (2018), they used both ICBT and GCBT to take a
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look at treating youth with anxiety disorder. Throughout their study, with both groups, ICBT

and GCBT, all participants went through 14 sessions over a 12-week process. In the sessions,

the following treatment was implemented: training in anxiety-management skills when presented

with high stress situations. The high stress situations were tailored to the individual participant

for best results. For the participants in the GCBT category, they were to undergo these

treatments together, rather than individually (Villabø, Narayanan, Compton, Kendall, & Neumer,

2018). Treatment strategies discussed above are commonly used to treat youth with anxiety

disorder. In another study conducted by Kendall, Hudson, Gosch, Flannery-Schroeder, and

Suveg (2008), they also looked at ICBT and GCBT. In their study, they conducted 16sessions

on a weekly basis, along with assessment as part of their treatment plan (Kendall, Hudson,

Gosch, Flannery-Schroeder, & Suveg, 2008). This study shows the similarity in how youths with

anxiety tend to be treated.

The results from the previous studies supports the effectiveness of the Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy approach. In the study conducted by Villabø and collogues, they found that

there was not a huge significance between the ICBT and the GCBT. However, they did find that

with ICBT, 32 percent of participants, and with GCBT, 52 percent of participants showed no

signs of anxiety disorder posttreatment. With a two year follow up, a large number of

participants that still showed symptoms of anxiety disorder post treatment continued to improve

(Villabø, Narayanan, Compton, Kendall, & Neumer, 2018). In the study conducted by Kendall

and collogues (2008), they found very similar results. In ICBT, 57 percent of the participants,

and in GCBT, 55 percent of the participants showed no signs of anxiety disorder posttreatment.

Along with their follow up, participants who underwent ICBT increased to 67 percent showing

no signs of anxiety disorder. As for GCBT, it increased to 64 percent of participants who

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showed no signs of anxiety disorder (Kendall, Hudson, Gosch, Flannery-Schroeder, & Suveg,

2008). Displaying these results, truly shows that the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy does in fact

improve on those youth with anxiety disorder.

As previously discussed, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is taking an approach to

conducting via the internet. Again, some strengths that go along with this include preference of

delivery, cost efficiency, and time of delivery (Radomski, et al., 2019). Along with an internet

approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy poses many other strengths. In an academic journal

written by Pella, Drake, Tein, and Ginsburg (2017), they discuss this matter. After conducting a

study and collecting their findings, they found that a strength to this approach includes that those

individuals who underwent the treatment are experiencing a “spillover effect.” Meaning that the

friends and family of the individual, although not needing treatment, are benefitting from it as

well. Another strength they found is that the individual, along with lessening their anxiety, are

experiencing fewer behavioral problems, being more compliant at home, and tendencies to be

less shy (Pella, Drake, Tein, & Ginsburg, 2017).

As every therapy has its strengths, it is followed by its weaknesses. As discussed

previously, with any therapy, there are physical obstacles that an individual can face. To

reiterate, these include finical means, lack of counselors trained in this specific field,

transportation, and demanding and conflicting schedules (Radomski, et al., 2019). As for the

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, along with many other approaches and therapies, the

completion statistics are not promising numbers. In an academic journal written by Radomski

and collogues (2019), they discuss the dropout rates. They found that, in some cases, there is a

50 percent completion rate (Radomski, et al., 2019). This meaning that half of the participants

are not going through their full treatment that they are in need of. In another academic journal
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written by Kendall and collogues (2008), they found that a very high percentage of the

individuals who are in need of treatment do not meet the required criteria. The initial percentage

starts at 56 percent, rising to 63 percent after waiting a review period of six to 12 months

(Kendall, Hudson, Gosch, Flannery-Schroeder, & Suveg, 2008).

Anxiety disorder diagnoses are higher than ever. Individuals are being diagnosed

younger than they have before. However, with that being said, societal norms are changing.

New and more intensive pressures are being put onto the laps of the youth. They are forced to

find their way in a world that is nothing short of messy. This is all new and unmarked territory

to them. Fear and anxiety are going to arise. Although, with the youths being diagnosed, this can

lead to earlier treatment plans, and more effective and efficient lives to be led. With the

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, and the evidence provided, exactly this can be done.

Anxiety is not a label that youths, or anyone for that matter, must carry as a burden on their

backs, but something that can be treated and properly controlled.

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References

Kendall, P. C., Hudson, J. L., Gosch, E., Flannery-Schroeder, E., & Suveg, C. (2008). Cognitive-

behavioral therapy for anxiety disordered youth: A randomized clinical trial evaluating

child and family modalities. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(2), 282–

297. https://doi-org.proxy-mansfield.klnpa.org/10.1037/0022-006X.76.2.282

Moxnes, P. (2018). Anxiety and organization: what I learned about anxiety in a psychiatric ward

in the 70s that turned out to be useful for managers in daily practice. Culture &

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mansfield.klnpa.org/10.1080/14759551.2017.1379011

Pella, J. E., Drake, K. L., Tein, J.-Y., & Ginsburg, G. S. (2017). Child Anxiety Prevention Study:

Impact on Functional Outcomes. Child Psychiatry And Human Development, 48(3), 400–

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Radomski, A. D., Wozney, L., McGrath, P., Huguet, A., Hartling, L., Dyson, M. P., Bennett, K.,

& Newton, A. S. (2019). Design and Delivery Features That May Improve the Use of

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents With

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Rozenman, M., & Piacentini, J. (2016). Pediatric Primary Care as a Stepped Care Setting for

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Villabø, M. A., Narayanan, M., Compton, S. N., Kendall, P. C., & Neumer, S.-P. (2018).

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community practice. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(9), 751–764.

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