Overanxious Disorder in Children

Pathways to Adult Personality Patterns

By: THEODORE MILLON and

      Seth Grossman

      Carrie Millon

      Sarah Meagher

      Rowena Ramnath

Developmental psychopathology is one of the most rapidly evolving areas in diagnostic knowledge. Accordingly, a variety of childhood disorders included in the DSM-III, published in 1980, are no longer listed in the DSM-IV, published in 1994.

One of these, overanxious disorder in children, includes features related to the compulsive personality. According to the DSM-III, such children often seem “hyper-mature with their precocious concerns.” They take on responsibilities or attitudes that go far beyond their developmental level.

Also noted were traits such as perfectionistic tendency, obsessional self-doubt, excessive conformity, excessive approval-seeking, over-concern about competence, a preoccupation with the appropriateness of their behavior, excessive need for reassurance, somatic complaints, and marked feelings of tension or an inability to relax.

Overly trained and disciplined youngsters have little opportunity to shape their own destinies. Such children learn to control their feelings and focus their thoughts on becoming a model of parental orderliness and propriety. Although adults may be comforted by their good manners, many are uptight and agitated. Some will act out later in life when parental disapproval and discipline are no longer a force in their lives.

References

Personality Disorders in Modern Life, second edition, 2000, 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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