Childhood Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry.
Childhood Anxiety Symptoms
- finding it hard to concentrate
- not sleeping, or waking in the night with bad dreams
- not eating properly
- quickly getting angry or irritable, and being out of control during outbursts
- constantly worrying or having negative thoughts
- feeling tense and fidgety, or using the toilet often
- always crying
- being clingy
- complaining of tummy aches and feeling unwell.
What does anxiety look like in a child?
Excessive worrying: The child may worry a lot about many things, such as school, friends, or family. They may constantly seek reassurance from adults.
Physical complaints: Anxiety can cause physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, or feeling unwell. These symptoms may occur often, especially during times of anxiety.
Avoidance: An anxious child may try to avoid situations or activities that make them anxious. For example, they may not want to go to school or participate in social events.
Restlessness and irritability: The child may seem restless, fidgety, or easily annoyed. They may have trouble sitting still or have bursts of frustration.
Sleep difficulties: Anxiety can affect a child’s sleep. They may have trouble falling asleep, experience nightmares, or wake up frequently during the night.
Trouble concentrating: An anxious child may struggle to focus and pay attention. This can impact their schoolwork and make it hard for them to complete tasks.
Perfectionism and self-criticism: Some anxious children put a lot of pressure on themselves to be perfect. They may be overly critical of their mistakes and fear being judged by others.
Physical restlessness: Anxiety can make a child feel physically restless. They may constantly move around, tap their feet, or fidget.
What types of anxiety are common in children?
Several types of anxiety disorders can affect children. Here are some common ones explained in easy-to-understand language:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Children with GAD often worry excessively about many things, such as school, health, and family. They may have trouble controlling their worries and may feel anxious most of the time.
Separation Anxiety Disorder: This type of anxiety is characterized by an intense fear of being separated from loved ones, particularly parents or caregivers. Children with separation anxiety may have difficulty going to school or being away from their loved ones.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Children with social anxiety experience intense fear and discomfort in social situations. They may worry excessively about being embarrassed or judged by others. This can lead to avoidance of social interactions and difficulty making friends.
Specific Phobias: Specific phobias involve an intense fear of a particular object or situation, such as animals, heights, or flying. Children with specific phobias may go to great lengths to avoid the feared object or situation.
Panic Disorder: In panic disorder, children experience sudden and recurrent panic attacks characterized by intense fear and physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness. They may worry about having more panic attacks.
Selective Mutism: Selective mutism is characterized by a consistent inability to speak in certain social situations, such as school or public places, despite being capable of speaking in other settings. Children with selective mutism may experience extreme anxiety when trying to speak.
Childhood Anxiety Treatment
Fortunately, childhood anxiety is a treatable condition, and with appropriate interventions, children can learn to manage their anxiety and lead fulfilling lives. The most common treatment options for childhood anxiety include:
1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a well-established therapeutic approach for anxiety disorders in children. It helps children identify and challenge their anxious thoughts and beliefs, develop coping strategies, and gradually face feared situations through exposure therapy.
2. Medication
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage severe anxiety symptoms or when other interventions have not been effective. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help reduce anxiety levels.
3. Parental Involvement
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child’s recovery from anxiety. They can learn strategies to manage their child’s anxiety, provide reassurance, and create a supportive and structured environment at home.
4. School-Based Interventions
Schools can implement various strategies to support anxious students, such as providing a quiet space for relaxation, offering counseling services, and implementing anti-bullying initiatives. Collaboration between parents, teachers, and mental health professionals is vital in ensuring the child’s needs are met.
Tips for parents:
There are also things that parents can do at home to help children learn how to manage their feelings of anxiety. Tactics that may help:
- Don’t avoid what your child fears. While this may offer short-term relief, using avoidance as a coping mechanism reinforces the anxiety and worsens it over time.
- Offer comfort and model positive responses. Listen to your child’s concerns, but be careful not to reinforce these fears. Instead, help your child practice relaxation techniques while modelling appropriate, non-fearful responses to the source of your child’s anxiety.
- Help your child learn to tolerate their fear. Allowing your child to be gradually exposed to the source of their fear while using relaxation techniques to calm their fear response can help them learn to tolerate distress and eventually learn that there is nothing to fear.
The ways that parents cope with anxiety can affect the way children deal with their fears. While parents should not pretend that they don’t have anxiety, they should focus on showing kids that it is something that can be calmly tolerated and effectively managed.
Childhood Anxiety: Causes & Risk Factors
Several factors can cause or worsen anxiety in children. While characteristics like gender or family history can’t be controlled, children’s anxiety is also triggered by stressful events like trauma or illness.
Gender – Girls have a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders. Some studies show they’re up to twice as likely as boys to have the condition.
Genetics – Anxiety often runs in families. Children of parents who have anxiety disorders are seven times more likely to develop the condition. And experts say 65% of children living with anxious parents meet the criteria for anxiety disorders.
Brain Chemistry – The brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine are involved with many body functions, including mood and emotion. Imbalances in these chemicals can cause anxiety and depression.
Temperament – Children who are cautious, fearful, shy and tend to avoid people, objects or situations are more prone to developing anxiety disorders.
Environment – Traumatic events like divorce, illness or death in the family can trigger anxiety in children. And family members who are noticeably anxious or stressed can increase children’s anxiety.
Medication Side Effects – Medicines and over-the-counter drugs used to treat allergies, asthma and other conditions can cause or worsen your child’s anxiety. Discuss medication side effects with your Mercy paediatrician.
Diagnosing Childhood Anxiety
To determine if a child has an anxiety disorder, a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional is necessary. The diagnostic process typically involves the following steps:
1. Clinical Interview
The mental health professional will conduct a thorough interview with the child and their parents or caregivers. This interview aims to gather information about the child’s symptoms, duration, and impact on daily functioning.
2. Symptom Assessment
The professional may use standardized assessment tools and questionnaires to evaluate the child’s anxiety symptoms. These assessments help in identifying the specific anxiety disorder and assessing its severity.
3. Medical Evaluation
In some cases, physical health issues can contribute to anxiety symptoms. The mental health professional may recommend a medical evaluation to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing or exacerbating the anxiety.
4. Collaboration with Other Professionals
Collaboration with teachers, school counselors, and other professionals involved in the child’s care may be necessary to gather comprehensive information and ensure coordinated support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, childhood anxiety is a significant issue that can impact a child’s daily life and well-being. It is crucial for parents, teachers, and caregivers to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children and provide appropriate support. Early intervention, through therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and creating a supportive environment, can greatly benefit anxious children. Schools also play an important role in supporting these children through school-based interventions and counseling services. By increasing awareness and understanding, we can ensure that children with anxiety receive the necessary help to thrive and reach their full potential. Remember to seek professional help for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan if you suspect your child may be experiencing anxiety.
Childhood anxiety, if left untreated, can have long-term effects on a child’s mental health and overall well-being. It can contribute to the development of other mental health disorders, impact academic performance, and hinder social relationships.
While some children may outgrow their anxiety, for others, anxiety may persist into adolescence and adulthood. Early intervention and appropriate treatment significantly improve the chances of managing anxiety effectively.
Parents can help their anxious child by creating a supportive and understanding environment, validating their feelings, teaching relaxation techniques, and seeking professional help when necessary. It is essential to encourage open communication and avoid dismissing or minimizing their child’s anxiety.
While it may not be possible to prevent anxiety in all cases, fostering resilience and providing a nurturing environment can help reduce the risk of developing anxiety disorders. Teaching children effective coping strategies and promoting healthy stress management techniques can also be beneficial.
Some natural remedies, such as regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and a balanced diet, can complement professional treatment for childhood anxiety. However, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before implementing any alternative or complementary approaches.
