Is Your Child Struggling with Anxiety? Ways to Support Them
Anxiety is a different condition. Unchecked anxiety can lead to a lifetime condition. You can help your child manage anxiety by recognizing the signs.
What is Childhood Anxiety Disorder?
Early childhood is a time when children are often afraid of the toilet flushing, or that someone else will care for them. But for little ones who are anxious, this fear can be even greater. She is not only afraid but also believes that the danger or fear is much worse than it is. She becomes more tense and anxious when she thinks about the situation.
When a child is anxious, she will either try to avoid situations that upset her or wait for you to step in to manage the situation. This ‘avoidance behavior’ may ease her anxiety temporarily, but it could work against her long-term. She will not only be less able to handle it the next time but she’ll find it difficult to deal with daily stress at home, school, and in future settings like the workplace.
Signs to look out for
Children with anxiety may show a variety of symptoms.
- Seek reassurance frequently
- Avoid situations that make you feel anxious or afraid
- Try to convince others to do what they’re worried about
- Do you dislike taking risks?
- Fears are many
- Get upset easily
- Have lots of worries
- She may also experience physical symptoms like diarrhea and stomach pains.
- She may be less able to concentrate and more tired than normal
Children with anxiety can also experience:
- Cling to you a great deal
- Ask for help with things you can do yourself
- Be reluctant to prepare for school or kindly
- She will not go to bed without you or dad
- You may have headaches or stomach pains
- Worrying a lot over doing things correctly
- She would rather watch her friends than do it herself
- Be scared most of the time
- Weep often for small things
- Always look at the negative or dangerous side of things
Early intervention is crucial.
Early intervention is important when it comes to anxiety. Early intervention is taking action to improve future outcomes as soon as possible. Early intervention in childhood anxiety can have a hugely positive impact, according to research. Give your child the tools and strategies she needs to deal with anxiety. She will use these skills throughout her life.
What you can do to help your anxious child
It’s only natural that you want to help your child when they are experiencing anxiety. You may instinctively pick up your child if she is afraid of dogs. This only increases her anxiety and does not help her learn coping mechanisms. You shouldn’t throw your child into the deep end by taking her to a dog park, for example. Teach her to deal with anxiety, so that it does not interfere with her enjoyment of life.
Ten strategies to try
1. First calm her down
Before you talk to your child, soothe her before you start talking.
2. Worry time
Encourage her to express her worries each day by having a ‘worry time’. You can help her release her worries by talking to her. Make it fun for her by creating a “worry box” that she can decorate with stickers, and then post.
3. Little steps
Break her fears down into small steps that have a clear end goal. If your child is afraid to go near water or swim, you can start by watching others. Then, move to standing at the shallow end of the pool. Finally, learn to swim.
4. Encourage positive thinking
You can help your child to change negative “what if?” thinking patterns by reminding them of similar situations in the past, and how they worked out. For example, we know that monsters don’t exist.
5. Try it out
Encourage your child to “have a try” when she is not feeling like it. You can tell her that it’s okay to fail and it’s not important whether something is a success.
6. Be a role-model
Show your child how you overcame your anxiety if you’re also anxious. You might say something like, “This seems a little scary, but I will give it a try.”
7. Let her lead
Give your child some control over her anxiety. Make turning on the nightlight part of your child’s bedtime routine if, for example, she is afraid of darkness.
8. She should be honest and open about her fears
Answer any questions that she might have honestly. You will help her put her fears into perspective by explaining what you mean.
9. Mirror
Think about the messages that you are sending to your child. Is your overprotectiveness reinforcing the fear of the world as a place that can be dangerous and where she could get hurt? Try not to jump in every time if you are prone to ” helicoptering”. It will build her resilience if she can figure out the problem herself.
Speak to your Doctor
Speak to your doctor if your child’s anxiety is causing problems. She may refer to a clinical therapist who can help with early intervention.
Anxiety in children
Anxiety is a disorder in children if it interferes with their lives for more than 6 months. You may not be able to tell whether your child is anxious. You might notice that they are irritable, or even complain about feeling sick. Early intervention can be helpful.
What causes anxiety in children
Childhood is a time of anxiety and fear. Fear is an instinctive reaction to danger. Anxiety is the result of a potential threat. Fears and anxieties are often short-lived, and they show that children are learning how to solve problems independently. Parents and caregivers can help children understand and overcome fears and anxiety.
One in five children will experience what doctors call anxiety disorders. Children with anxiety disorders are different from those who suffer from normal anxiety or fear because they have more extreme avoidance or emotional reactions or last for longer than expected. Children with anxiety disorders are prone to emotional outbursts, such as crying or tantrums. A lot of avoidance may be displayed. They may try to run away, hide, or be on the “lookout” for danger most of the time. Kids can also have physical symptoms like nausea, headaches, and stomachaches.
What types of anxiety do children experience?
There are several different types of anxiety that children can experience:
- Severe separation anxiety is a disorder that affects children between 8 and 12 months of age. Normal separation anxiety can cause your child to fear strangers or feel unsafe when you are not present. Separation disorder can last beyond the normal developmental stage. Children may worry about their parents or family members, have trouble going to school or away from family in general, or have difficulty separating themselves for sleep. Talk to your child’s doctor if your child is more distressed or anxious about separations compared to other children their age.
- Specific Phobias Fear is a protective mechanism, and so it’s normal for children to be afraid of certain things. You may find that your child is afraid of something specific, such as thunderstorms, clowns, or anything else. Specific phobias, however, are fears that are excessive and out of proportion to the danger.
- Disorder of social anxiety: This is a fear of being rejected or judged in social situations. Your child may avoid performing or speaking in public. They may be so uncomfortable they avoid social situations at school, or in other familiar places. Some people may avoid social situations entirely.
- Anxiety disorder: Generalized anxiety refers to excessive anxiety and fear over a wide range of things that occur in everyday life. You may find that your child worries more about the future than other children of their age. They may have many worries or worries may change over time, but they’re often worried about something.
- Panic disorder: Children with panic disorder have times when they feel extreme fear and anxiety along with physical symptoms like a racing heart (heart palpitations) and dizziness or they might feel like they can’t breathe (dyspnea). These panic attacks can come on without warning and tend to go away within minutes to hours.
How common is anxiety in children?
Anxiety disorders are fairly common in children. They affect about 15% to 20% of children and adolescents. And nearly 1 in 3 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 has anxiety. It’s also more common in females.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children?
Parenting can feel like a guessing game. Some children will use words to tell you about their anxiety. They might say something like: “I’m afraid to go to school because I’m worried I’ll never see you again.” Others might not know how to explain their feelings. But children also show signs of anxiety. They may:
- Worry and/or cry more than other kids their age.
- Say they don’t feel well. They might complain of an upset stomach, sore muscles, or headache.
- Have trouble sleeping, wake from nightmares, or be unable to sleep alone.
- Find it hard to relax or sit still (restless).
- Anger easily.
- Have a hard time focusing.
- Say they aren’t hungry, or that they’re hungry all the time.
- Shake (tremor).
- Refuse to go to school.
- Use the bathroom a lot.
What causes anxiety in children?
Some kids are naturally sensitive and may have a hard time coping with change or strong emotions. These kids may have a biological or family tendency to be anxious. Anxiousness can also develop after stressful life events, and some people have many stressful events from a very early age, like:
- The death of someone close to them.
- Moving to a new house or school, especially if those moves are frequent.
- Difficulty with getting enough to eat.
- Difficulty with safe places to live.
- Difficulty with consistent schooling.
- Parents who fight or argue, or separation and divorce.
- Bullying, abuse, or neglect.
What is the main cause of anxiety in children?
It’s hard to say for sure what the main cause of childhood anxiety is. Fear is a natural part of growing up. Some kids manage it OK. But for children with anxiety that interferes with their day-to-day lives, it’s thought that genetics, biology, and family history play roles.
What are the complications of this condition?
Children with anxiety are at increased risk for depression and substance use disorders later in life. They may struggle in school or with attending school. They’re also at higher risk for suicide. Although these are scary, it’s important to remember that treatments are available. Be sure to follow up with your child’s healthcare provider as often as they recommend. Seek immediate medical attention or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (in the United States) if you think your child might hurt themselves.
How is anxiety in children diagnosed?
To diagnose anxiety in your child, their healthcare provider will talk with both you and your child. They’ll ask you about your child’s behavior and how you can tell they’re anxious. They’ll ask your child to tell them about any symptoms they notice and when they notice them. They may ask you to complete surveys.
