ANXIETY DISORDERS IN CHILDREN
It is normal for children to feel worried or anxious to a certain extent.
For example, first day of school or moving to a new area.
As a parent you need to be concerned when the anxiety is affecting the child's behavior and their thoughts are interfering with their normal life.
ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN:
• become irritable, tearful or clingy
• have difficulty sleeping
• wake in the night
• start wetting the bed
• have bad dreams
In older children you may notice that they:
• lack confidence to try new things or seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges
• find it hard to concentrate
• have problems with sleeping or eating
• have angry outbursts
• have a lot of negative thoughts, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen
• start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing friends, going out in public or going to school
WHEN ANXIETY BECOMES A PROBLEM
As we have said, anxiety is common for children. However, when anxiety starts to take over a child’s life it becomes a problem.
Severe anxiety can harm a child’s mental and emotional wellbeing. It can also affect their self-esteem and confidence.
If your child's anxiety is severe, persists, and interferes with their everyday life, it's a good idea to get some help. Talk with your pediatrician when anxiety becomes severe.
Seek professional help or reassurance if your child is constantly anxious and:
• it's not getting better, or is getting worse
• self-help is not working
• it's affecting their school or family life, or their friendships
WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY DISORDERS IN CHILDREN?
Some children are simply born more anxious and less able to cope with stress than others.
Children can also pickup anxious behavior from being around anxious people.
Some children develop anxiety after stressful events, such as:
• frequently moving, house or school
• parents fighting or arguing
• the death of a close relative or friend
• becoming seriously ill or getting injured in an accident
• school-related issues like exams or bullying
• being abused or neglected
TREATMENTS FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS IN CHILDREN
The type of treatment offered will depend on your child's age and the cause of their anxiety. There is help for your child. Here are some of the common treatments for anxiety disorders:
Counceling can help your child understand what's making them anxious and allow them to work through the situation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help your child manage their anxiety by changing the way they think and behave.
Anxiety medicines may be offered to your child if their anxiety is severe or does not get better with talking therapies. They're usually only prescribed by doctors who specialize in children and young people's mental health.
It is vital that you get the proper help for a child with an anxiety disorder. If your suspect your child is overly anxious call your pediatrician as soon as possible to get help for your child.
Disclaimer
This information is for general purposes only, and should not be construed as a substituted for professional advice from your health professional. We do not support self-diagnosis based on any information found in this fact sheet. We are not responsible for any self-diagnosis made by a reader based on information found in this fact sheet. It is merely meant to be an informational tool to present warning signs that should be brought to the attention of a medical doctor.