What is Anxiety?
Anxiety in children isn’t uncommon. It’s the feeling of worry, fear, or unease that involves a combination of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. While occasional worries are normal, anxiety becomes concerning when it overwhelms a child’s daily life and hinders their activities. To understand more about how anxiety manifests in children and impacts their daily life, read this comprehensive overview by the Cleveland Clinic.
Causes of Childhood Anxiety
Various factors can contribute to a child’s anxiety. These include struggles in school, familial stress, significant life changes (like moving or parents separating), traumatic events, or being in an environment where they don’t feel safe or supported.
Recognizing Signs of Anxiety
Children and young people display anxiety through physical, emotional, and behavioral signs. These signs include physical discomfort, obsessive thoughts, feelings of nervousness, and adopting coping mechanisms like avoidance or self-harm.
Assisting Children with Anxiety
Helping children manage their anxiety involves both short-term coping and long-term strategies. Encouraging children to recognize their physical symptoms during anxious moments and teaching them coping activities such as exercise, creative outlets, or talking to friends can be beneficial. The CDC offers guidance on healthy behaviors that may help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression in children.
Finding Professional Help
Sometimes, professional intervention becomes necessary. Therapists or counselors can assist children in processing their emotions and learning coping mechanisms through activities like play or arts. Schools can also offer support through pastoral care, clubs, or mentoring. Seeking guidance from a General practitioner might lead to referrals for specialized treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or, in severe cases, medication. Yale Medicine provides insights into various types of anxiety disorders in children and their respective treatments.
It is normal for children to have occasional worries but the need for intervention may be needed when anxiety starts affecting their daily life. It is beneficial for parents and caregivers to offer practical strategies to help children manage their anxiety and seek professional support when necessary.
