An overview of childhood anxiety disorders
Once more, anxiety is a common human emotion that affects children, adults, and young people, especially during times of transition in life. However, if a person has a chronic worry that is out of proportion to the situation and interferes with day-to-day functioning, this could indicate a diagnosable condition.
Children who experience anxiety are also prone to comorbidity, which is the simultaneous presence of many mental health disorders. According to the CDC, one in three kids who suffer from anxiety also have another mental health issue, such behavioral issues or depression.
Similar to adults, children with anxiety disorders are usually treated with talk therapy, sometimes in addition to medication. Children who receive therapy in particular may learn how to control their overpowering emotions and where their anxiety originates from.
What is the source of anxiety?
Anxiety in children is thought to result from a confluence of environmental and biological variables. Anxiety disorders can start in a child’s life after stressful experiences like moving, losing a loved one, or experiencing challenges in school. However, anxiety disorders are not caused by life stress in and of itself. In addition to variations in brain anatomy, personality, and temperament, there might also be a hereditary component. There is still much to learn about the precise causes of anxiety in adults and children.
Identifying children’s symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety symptoms in youngsters, such as tense muscles and trouble falling asleep, can occasionally be confused with adult symptoms. On the other hand, some kids might exhibit distinct symptoms, or they might absorb them entirely, making them even more difficult to identify. A youngster may not be able to process strong emotions or express them to their parents, caretakers, other family members, or teachers since their cognitive abilities are still growing.
Therefore, even though each child’s anxiety symptoms will vary depending on their age and circumstances, the following list of common anxiety symptoms in children contains some of them:
difficulty falling asleep
Imaginary nightmares
notable variations in appetite
recurring symptoms of headaches, stomachaches, or overall sickness without a known cause
consciously avoiding particular circumstances
clinging to parents or other adults in charge
Children’s anxiety attacks: Important information
As a consequence of their condition, anxiety episodes can also occur in certain children with anxiety. Although a child experiencing anxiety may have both types of attacks, it is important to distinguish between anxiety and panic attacks. Both of these include experiencing severe anxiety-related symptoms, and both have the potential to seriously disrupt day-to-day activities. Extreme distress, a racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing, trembling, and strong dread are symptoms that may be identical to both conditions. But the process by which they arise is typically distinct. It’s normally advised that you talk to your child’s doctor, a child psychologist, or a psychiatrist if they have panic or anxiety attacks. They can offer you guidance on treatment options as well as helpful coping mechanisms. But generally speaking, it can be beneficial to explain to them during quiet moments what anxiety/panic attacks are and why they don’t actually pose a threat. You could help them initiate the relaxation response during an attack by leading them through grounding or relaxation exercises.
A few varieties of anxiety disorders in children
Children may experience a variety of anxiety disorders, ranging from specific phobias to generalized anxiety disorder. We’ll provide a quick rundown of some of the more prevalent ones below so you can be prepared to identify symptoms in your child.
Anxiety disorder related to separation
When children are removed from their parents, caregivers, or another family member, they may experience severe worry or terror. This condition is known as separation anxiety disorder. While many young children cry when dropped off at daycare or school, these tears normally stop after a short while if the youngster is distracted by a toy or playmate. However, if the youngster exhibits this behavior again hours after their parent leaves, separation anxiety disorder may be present.
Other signs of separation anxiety disorder include the following:
Common symptoms of anxiety include the aforementioned ones (muscle tightness, constant worry, etc.).
ongoing anxiety or tension being unable to be with family
refusal to sleep by themselves
recurring nightmares involving themes of separation
Fear of caretakers passing away or getting unwell
avoiding or being afraid of alone time
Adorable conduct, even in the house
Anxiety disorders related to social situations
It’s common for children to feel shy around new people, but social anxiety disorder goes beyond that. Rather, children who suffer from social anxiety disorder could feel a crippling and overwhelming fear or worry that they will be laughed at, rejected, or embarrassed by others in social situations or in their daily lives. They will therefore usually steer clear of things that they need to or want to undertake. Children with social anxiety disorder may exhibit the following symptoms:
Common symptoms of anxiety include the aforementioned ones (muscle tightness, constant worry, etc.).
severe avoidance of circumstances requiring social interaction
Fear or anxiety associated with going to school, being in public, meeting new people, or having conversations with strangers
Fear of saying or doing something that would make people think poorly of them
Anxiety disorders in general (GAD)
The hallmark of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive and uncontrollable worry over a wide range of scenarios and occurrences. Although occasional sensations of dread and worry are normal, children with GAD often experience these emotions more than their peers. Among the symptoms are:
Common symptoms of anxiety include the aforementioned ones (muscle tightness, constant worry, etc.).
Fear of improbable future occurrences, such what would happen if their carers passed away
obsession with the past
Anticipating the worst, even in the absence of evident cause for alarm
severe anxiety for social and academic success
Frequently feeling restless, agitated, or tense
Handling children’s anxieties
There is help available if your child is exhibiting signs of an anxiety problem. Even though anxiety disorders rank among the most prevalent mental health issues that children might experience, they are also among the easiest to cure.
One of the most popular and successful talk therapies for treating anxiety in adults and children is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). When a kid receives cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapist usually assists the child in identifying the ideas that make them feel anxious and constructively modifies these thoughts in a developmentally appropriate manner. In order to assist children deal with anxious symptoms when they do occur, they might also teach them coping skills like mindfulness exercises. A medical professional might occasionally additionally suggest anti-anxiety drugs.
