Anxiety Disorders In Children

People tend to assume that children are carefree and living in the best times of their lives. They have no worries, no reason to fret, nothing to be concerned about other than where to hang out after school. As our kids get older they have to think about getting into university and getting the right high school job that will give them valuable job experience in the future. Anxiety disorder in children is no longer uncommon and parents don’t know how to help because they are often unfamiliar with it. It is treatable and there are many options to consider and choose from. Medication is probably the first thing that is thought of but there are many natural remedies for treating anxiety disorder in children that should be considered as well.




As parents, guardians and rational adults, we have a responsibility to ensure that these youngsters are not affected by the stress of the modern day world as much as possible. Children being subjected to unusual stress at an early age can have disastrous effects in their adolescent and adult years with ailments such as heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances apart from psychological limitations.



Children anxiety disorders are frequent, but the correct number of sufferers is unknown, a lot of likely because the condition is often under-diagnosed, undiagnosed or unreported. While it is very treatable with good, persistent health care, health experts agree that anxiety problems during childhood will likely to persist as an adult psychological disorder. In other words, earlier manifestations of anxiety through anxiety attacks through childhood must be addressed as early on as possible hence, reducing the chances of growing into an adult variation.



» Separation anxiety is very frequent among children when they reach school age. They show unreasoned fear and panic at being separated from their parents or their household during parents. Alternately, a child will indicate a demeanor when at home or during the company of parents.



» Sociable phobia can force children to stay away from friends as they feel that they are different from other kids or that they have clothes or hair style that are apart from the interest of other kids. A child with social phobia may select to read a book than to go to summer camp or any activity that involves mingling with others.



» Efficiency anxiety can be closely linked to social anxiety. A child who does not play great sports may show signs of fear during physical education class. A child with poor reading skills or cannot perform simple mathematical equation might panic and turn into ill when called to recite for the class or solve a difficulty on the panel.



» Generalized Anxiety Disorder is diagnosed when the child worries excessively about a broad range of things including things they have said and done upcoming events, family and school. They worry to such an extent that they become restless, are irritable, tired and have difficulty concentrating. They may be unable to sleep.



» Panic Disorder is present when the child has recurring panic attacks and is anxious and fearful about having them.



» Obsessive Compulsive Disorder occurs when obsessions or intrusive thoughts and compulsions or repetitive behaviors interfere with daily activities. Compulsions are usually the result of the child trying to drown out unacceptable thoughts with rituals like washing their hands repeatedly.



» Post Traumatic Stress Disorder forms as the result of trauma such as the death of a loved one, an accident or divorce. The child becomes over-anxious at the lack of control they had over events and worries about future occurrences.



It may be caused due to



- A child develops anxiety disorder after an awful experience – ridiculed by classmates, victim of bullies in school, or making an error in front of the class.



- Separation of parents, abuse, death of a loved one or any traumatic experiences can lead to anxiety disorder as well.



Anxiety disorders do react well to treatment but the difficulty with children is that they do not know themselves that what they feel is not felt by all children. Therefore, it is up to the caregivers to recognize the problem and seek treatment for the child. Behaviors during anxiety attacks and signs of anxiety disorders are similar to other psychological, physical and behavioral condition. It is crucial, therefore, to seek professional help to be able to rule out other causes and give the right therapy to the patient.