Questions about a 7 Year old girl...

Help,

I am the stepfather of a 7 year old girl and a 8 year old boy.  My wife and I have growing concerns about the 7 year old.  She is becoming increasingly fearful.  For example, when she was brought to school recently she became hysterical because a substitute teacher was filling in for the day.  Also, she sleeps on a bunk bed with her brother and consistantly and repeatedly gets up and begs to sleep with him because she is "scared".  She gives no reason or explanation for her fear, like a scary movie or something she heard, it's always just "because"?
Additionally, she is TOTALLY unable to entertain herself, she must be with a friend or be doing something with somebody at all times.  She can barely sit and watch a 15 minute cartoon!?  It's like she's going a million different directions at the same time!  It gets to be terribly frustrating!
The boy has displayed NONE of these characteristics and appears very stable with his environment, they both do well in school and are generally happy and energetic.  We're wondering if she needs more boundaries (routines, shedules, etc.) to provide a greater sense of security?
Some background, they were brought up under the influence of a drug (crack) addicted father and were witness to many screaming and violent fights through the first 5 years of life.  Now their biological father is back in the picture after a 10 month absence and is communicating with them via the phone and some occasional, supervised visits.  He is in rehab (for the 5th time), so his contact is somewhat limited.  He blames everyone but himself for his addiction and is completely unrational about his problem.  Unfortunatley, in their eyes, he can do no wrong.
We have great concern and love for these two children and want to approach these matters correctly, please help...

TVB

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Tom,

Your stepdaughter is displaying a degree of anxiety which is beyond the normal spectrum. The situation calls for an evaluation by a child mental health professional. She is likely displaying an anxiety disorder - possibilities include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This will be clarified via the evaluation process.

Did her behavior/reactions pre-date the re-introduction of her father into the situation? Has she behaved this way in a pretty consistent fashion over the years you have known her? Is there a family history of mood or anxiety disorders? These are some of the questions that will need to be clarified.

The outlook is probably optimistic, given her generally happy nature and the success she is experiencing in the school situation. But please pursue an evaluation.