CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. School Bullying: What It Is and Why It Hurts
2. The Role of Bullies, Victims, and Witnesses
3. Factors Contributing to Bullying and Violence
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Treatment For Children and Adolescents
6. Prevention and Intervention
7. Legal and Ethical Issues

Supplements
Case Studies
Fact Sheets
References
Resources

The ABCs of Bullying
Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression

Module Content Objectives Mental Health Counselors Assessment/Screening -- Functional Behavioral Assessment -- Behavioral Problem -- Behavioral Plan Assessment Techniques Understanding the Nature and Scope of Problems Other Indicators Talking With Kids Referring Students to a Mental Health Professional -- Warning Signs of Bullying/Victimization -- Bullying Characteristics Depression -- Signs of Depression in Children and Adolescents Anxiety Disorders Conduct Disorder in Children and Adolescents Alcohol Use Disorders (Mainly in Adolescents) -- Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse Sampler of Assessment/Screening Tools Summary Quiz

Anxiety Disorders

In childhood and adolescence, the presence of anxiety disorders (which includes separation anxiety disorder, generalized, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder) is higher than any other mental disorder. In fact, researchers estimate that 13 percent of children and adolescents in the United States have some anxiety disorder.ref A child who manifests excessive anxiety behavior is likely to worry about all aspects of his or her environment, including:ref

• Academic performance
• Sporting activities
• Being on time
• Natural disasters
• Peer relationships
• Appearance

Research has shown that children who are the victims of bullying have a higher rate of anxiety disorders (mostly social anxiety) and loneliness.ref^, ref In one study, recurrent victimization was a strong predictor of self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression for girls, but not for boys.ref

Children who are anxious often become overly conformist, perfectionist, or unsure of themselves. Their anxiety limits their ability to achieve self-fulfillment; they seek approval and reassurance from those around them. With social phobia, worries branch out also to include:

• Fear of being embarrassed in any social setting
• Fear of speaking in front of a class or in public
• Fear of eating, drinking, or writing in public

Physical manifestations of social phobia include:ref

• Heart palpitations
• Tremors
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Blushing
• Muscle tension
• Panic attack (in severe cases)

Anxiety disorders tend to be long lasting, often remaining through adulthood, although they may become less severe. Often, the child adapts by hiding the anxiety better. Life events may either reassure the child or exacerbate the anxiety and disorder.