Anxiety Disorders in Children - How to Help Your Child

When I began researching anxiety disorders , anxiety disorders in children was a concept I hadn't thought of. I didn't realize it was such a big problem. Child anxiety is real…sometimes painfully so. When I began to develop this Website as a tool to help people who suffer from anxiety – people like me – I decided it was important to include information on anxiety disorders in children.

If one child can be helped to break free of the grip of anxiety, the extra research I’ve given this topic will be worth it. Hopefully, parents will learn how to help their anxious children learn coping skills so they won’t suffer when they grow up and become adults. These anxious children can be spared a lifetime of misery.

Anxiety disorders in children are a common problem. Parents may be unaware that their child is suffering from anxiety but a child suffers from anxiety just as strongly as an adult. And, just like adults, children respond differently to stress and anxiety, depending on their age, personality, and coping skills.

Growing Up Can Be Difficult!

Growing up is hard enough with all the physical and mental changes children go through. And they don’t just grow up, they have to…

Go to school
Find extra time for activities after school
Meet lots of new people
Study
Learn to get along with all types of people...some who aren't so nice!

Today’s world seems to add more stress and anxiety to children and adolescents than ever before.

Children can be affected by:

Problems at home
Split families
New step-parents
Bullies
Exposure to violence on the Internet, TV, etc.

The pace of the world can be pretty overwhelming to any adult…can you imagine what it can do a child who’s still learning to cope with it all?

Anxiety Disorders in Children Can Be Broken Down Into Several Types

Generalized anxiety disorder in children: This anxiety disorder is primarily associated with constant and unrealistic worry by your child...it's far more than just normal childhood worrying.

Separation anxiety: includes fears of getting lost and social and performance issues like being teased, criticized, or making mistakes. 80% of kids who refuse to go to school have separation anxiety.

Overanxious disorders: when the child is worried about past behaviors, future events, and their competence. Many children experience this as test anxiety. They frequently complain about headaches, stomachaches, or tension. Children with overanxious disorders are self-conscious and need constant reassurance. Girls are commonly affected with overanxious disorders.

Stranger anxiety: This is where the child avoids contact with unfamiliar people. This fear is often severe enough to interfere with most of the child’s social relationships.

Anxiety and depression in children: These disorders are more prevalent today than ever before and this is mostly because of the way young people view the world today.

Anxiety Attacks in Children : A lot of parents don’t believe their child can have an anxiety attack. Part of the reason for this belief is that many parents mistakenly believe that since children don’t have adult responsibilities like jobs, paying bills, dealing with irate bosses, etc., then there’s just no way a child could be stressed out or have an anxiety attack. They may not realize that little children can even feel pressure to succeed in elementary school…in class, Little League, band, etc. Even kids as young as six years old can develop anxiety when they worry too much about schoolwork and friends.

Social anxiety in teenagers : Another example of anxiety disorders in children is social anxiety. One of the symptoms of this is when a teenager with social anxiety has an overwhelming fear of social situations or situations where a “performance” is required, such as giving a speech in front of his class. This teenage anxiety disorder can be caused by genetics or the teen's environment. Treatment is vital so that the teenager won't grow into adulthood with this anxiety disorder or other anxiety disorders that may develop because of it.

Children whose parents have anxiety disorders are seven times more likely to have anxiety problems than those children whose parents don’t have anxiety issues. If the environment around the child is stressful, it increases the chance that the child could develop an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, troubled teens suffer from anxiety disorders and parents need to be aware of this possibility.

In addition, depression can accompany anxiety disorders in children. One such form of depression is childhood bipolar disorder .

Causes of Anxiety Disorders in Children Can Usually Be Found Among the Following

Problems in school or school phobia
Conflicts with friends or teachers
Changes in the family (such as divorces, births, or deaths)
The desire to do well in school
Wanting to be accepted by other children at school
Genetics
Chemical imbalances in the brain
Moving to a new town

Major life changes can rattle your child’s sense of security, causing him to feel confused and anxious. For example, if the child gets a new baby brother or baby sister, he might feel threatened and jealous. The death of someone close to the child – also including pets – can cause confusion, grief, anxiety, and stress in a child.

Other things that can cause anxiety in a child are:

Overly-packed schedules
Self-inflicted pressures
Stress caused by an event at school
Terrible news events
Scary movies, television, and books
OCD in children

Simple Ways to Ease Your Child's Anxiety and Stress

Don’t ignore his feelings
Encourage him to share his emotions and thoughts
Listen to him
Remind him you love and support him
Offer comfort and distraction
Take him outside for some exercise – it will boost his mood
Stick to routines
Maintain regular mealtimes and bedtimes
Keep him healthy
Avoid over-scheduling
Limit his exposure to upsetting news events or stories
Set a calm example
Consult a mental health counselor or his pediatrician

While anxiety disorders in children seems to be a growing problem, your child does not have to be a victim of anxiety. Work with your child to practice the tips found here and get professional help if your child needs it. Catch anxiety early and spare your child a lifetime of anxiety!