Child anxiety service is expanded

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is known to be an effective treatment

A special service which treats anxious or depressed seven to 12-year-olds will be extended across Berkshire with a cash injection of more than £2m.

Berkshire Child Anxiety Clinic, based at the University of Reading, had previously offered treatment to youngsters in the east of the county.

The clinic, which has no waiting lists, will now cater for all, it said.

Common anxiety symptoms include phobias. The biggest donation - £2m - came from the Medical Research Council.

Anxiety can be a chronic problem and can also precede other psychological difficulties Dr Cathy Creswell University of Reading

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust donated £200,000 and the University of Reading £90,000 to expanding the service which has clinics in Bracknell, Newbury, Maidenhead and Slough.

The service offers various different treatment programmes based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, which is known to be an effective treatment for childhood anxiety, a spokesman said.

Dr Cathy Creswell, of the University of Reading's school of psychology and clinical science, said: "Child anxiety is among the most common emotional and behavioural difficulties experienced by young people and can have considerable impact on both them and their families' lives.

"It also impacts on children's social and academic development.

"Anxiety can be a chronic problem and can also precede other psychological difficulties."

An anxiety disorder is a condition characterised by high levels of fear or worry that gets in the way of a child's day to day life.

Common disorders include difficulties in social situations such as extreme shyness, excessive worry and phobias.

Common symptoms include frequent tummy aches or headaches, irritability or being easily upset, feelings of panic, sleeping problems, muscle tension and concentration problems.

Recent studies have suggested that anxiety disorders are the most common emotional difficulties experienced by children.