Helping Your Child Get Over Anxiety
About 40% of American adults suffer from anxiety disorders in different forms such as anxiety attacks, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. There is also a substantial number of children and teens who suffer from anxiety, but a lot of these cases remain unreported and undiagnosed.
Most children who had been diagnosed with anxiety disorders usually get this condition during puberty which if left untreated can very well persist into their young adult years. Parents need to help their children overcome anxiety during their early years of development.
Symptoms of Child Anxiety Disorder
Children experience the same symptoms as adults who have periods of anxiety attacks. This may start as an irrational and strong fear which later on manifests as physical symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, numbness, discomfort, increased heartbeat, etc. Children may also complain of stomach ache, nausea, headaches and diarrhea.
Your child may also show difficulty in adjusting to or may withdraw from social situations constantly. Some parents may simply say that their child is “naturally shy”, not knowing that their child may already be suffering from social anxiety disorder.
Child anxiety is often caused by social situations, for example, when a child just moved to a new school, or when a child is a victim of school bullying or extreme peer pressure. If your child has been reported to be having difficulties to concentrate or a slow capacity to learn, this may also be a sign that your child is experiencing some form of anxiety
Dealing with Your Child’s Anxiety Attacks
If your child has shown any of the symptoms above, it is best that you consult a pediatrician or a therapist to understand your child’s condition better. Your child may be suffering from any of the common anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, acute stress disorder, social anxiety or post traumatic stress brought about by a critical event in your child’s life.
Generally, medications and therapy are the usual treatments given to children suffering from child anxiety disorders, much like the same way adult anxiety disorder is managed. Do not attempt to self-medicate your child, meaning give your child the same medications prescribed for adults. These medicines may have adverse effects on your child, especially if given in dosages not prescribed by doctors.
Most of all, make your child’s home life a stress-free experience. Marital discord can place a heavy stress on children who may sometimes think they are the cause of their parents’ rifts. Try not to put too much pressure on your children to succeed or to be too competitive all the time.
Instead, encourage a healthy lifestyle of enough sleep, good diet, and exercise. Make it a habit to appreciate your children with praise and to assure them of your love for them.
