Anxiety disorders are among the most commonly diagnosed psychological issues in children, with numbers at any one time similar to what we see in other common disorders, such as ADHD. Why doesn’t anxiety receive as much attention? Do you think that parents do not perceive anxiety as a problem? Why or why not?

How do parents play a role in the development of anxiety in their children? If you were working with parents, how might you help them avoid this?

The text introduces Mowrer’s two-factor theory of anxiety to explain selective mutism. How would this theory explain the other anxiety disorders discussed in the chapter?

Research tells us that behavioral techniques, particularly exposure in its various forms, are effective in treating anxiety. However, the very idea of exposure can be quite scary for those suffering from anxiety. How would you help children or parents understand this intervention?