Reducing Anxiety in Children: A Detailed Approach

Anxiety in Children and the Importance of Comfort

Anxiety is a normal part of life, but for many people, it can become overwhelming. Childhood anxiety has become a major health challenge in modern society, with one in five children experiencing clinical-level anxiety by adolescence. What causes anxiety in children? More importantly, if your child is anxious, how can you help? Knowing the signs of anxiety in children can help you identify it in your own child so that you can be a source of support and comfort. Here, we’ll discuss anxiety symptoms in children and how childhood anxiety can be effectively treated and managed.

Child expressing worry, a sign of anxiety in Houston, TX

Understanding Anxiety in Children

Sometimes, adults are perplexed about what causes anxiety in children. After all, children don’t have bills, taxes, or any of the other cares that cause adults to feel anxious. However, all children experience anxiety from time to time. Meeting new people, being away from their parents, and changes in routine can be causes of anxiety in children, making them feel insecure and afraid. With normal anxiety, the child is able to overcome these anxious feelings and know that everything will be ok. For children with severe anxiety, however, their level of discomfort causes them to fear circumstances where negative emotions may be triggered. When this discomfort is not addressed, anxiety can become excessive and unmanageable, leading to poor school performance, inability to relate to peers, loss of sleep, physical symptoms, and sometimes even eventual substance abuse.

Types and Symptoms of Anxiety

At the heart of anxiety is fear, and some fear is healthy because it protects us from danger. For anxious children, though, common fears are amplified, and their minds are constantly in a state of vigilance, on the lookout for a future threat. Anxiety in young children can be rooted in a natural fear of strangers, and separation anxiety is common for preschoolers, but if the child suddenly experiences this at age 8 or 9, it is likely a sign of anxiety. Risk factors for anxiety include genetics and environment, and the median age for anxiety disorders is 11. Parents need not be concerned if the anxious feelings only last a few weeks, but if they go on for more than a month, they need to be addressed. There are several different types of anxiety:

  • Separation anxiety is typical when children are first away from a parent. However, if a child can’t overcome the fear of separation, it can become an anxiety disorder. This fear can lead to clingy behavior, tantrums, and even refusal to go anywhere if one or both parents won’t be present. Fear of separation can become so severe that it can cause physical symptoms like stomach aches or insomnia.
  • Social anxiety involves a fear of interacting with peers and meeting new people. It can be easy to confuse introversion with social anxiety, but a child who is introverted or shy may not be afraid as much as overstimulated and overwhelmed. Social anxiety carries with it a fear of judgment that makes children avoid situations in which they feel vulnerable. They may avoid social events entirely, speak quickly or stutter, and have few friends outside of the family.
  • Generalized anxiety occurs when children have many fears, rather than one specific fear. This can be frustrating because they may not be able to pinpoint the cause of their anxiety, but just always feel on edge. Generalized anxiety in children can often cause children to feel lethargic and restless, as a result of a state of heightened awareness. It can also cause difficulties with concentration and insomnia.
  • Panic disorder often accompanies other types of anxiety disorders. Panic leads to anxiety attacks, with physical symptoms like shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and pins and needles feeling that spreads to the extremities and face. Teenagers are more likely to experience anxiety attacks than young children, but anyone experiencing this kind of attack knows it’s a terrifying experience, especially the first time.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) leads children to try to alleviate their anxiety by following self–imposed rules. A person with OCD tries to fight obsessive thoughts by compulsively performing an action or ritual. Sometimes, people are diagnosed with an obsessive or compulsive component separately.
  • Specific phobias are common. People can be afraid of all sorts of things, from spiders to heights to being alone in the dark. When these fears become phobias, it’s because the specific fear is beginning to interfere with day-to-day activities. Phobias are extreme fears, and children with phobias may have such significant anxiety that they do whatever they can to avoid the subject of their fears.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

It can be distressing to see your child suffering, and you may wonder if it could have been prevented. However, it’s almost impossible to determine a specific reason why some children suffer from anxiety and others don’t. Many factors are at play, from genetic predisposition, chemical imbalances, and traumatic life experiences. Often, a combination of things leads to anxiety, which makes it very difficult to prevent.

How is Anxiety Diagnosed and Treated?

For anxiety in children, treatment begins with a diagnosis from a therapist. The therapist will talk to the child, ask questions, take notes, and refer to the DSM-5, in order to make an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, the therapist may recommend an appointment with a psychiatrist to discuss medication options, while other children benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on talking and learning skills that will help retrain harmful thought patterns that result in anxiety.

How Can I as a Parent Help My Child?

Parents can help soothe children who are struggling with anxiety, and a good first step is to work with a trained therapist to learn how to use the methods taught in therapy to assist your child. Talking with your child, listening to his or her concerns, and never dismiss these fears, but validate them as frightening feelings. When children feel heard and respected, they are better able to overcome anxious feelings. If your child is panicking, it’s important to establish a feeling of calm, and an effective way to do this is with deep belly breathing. Respecting your child’s fear does not mean giving into it, though, and once your child is calm, it’s important to encourage facing those fears. It’s important for children to know that feeling scared is normal, and that we have to push past these fears and do the things, even if they are difficult.

Choose the Daisy Way for the Highest Quality Care

If you need help addressing childhood anxiety, we are here for you. Locally owned and operated, Daisy Kids Care works hard to maintain a reputation as the best pediatric healthcare provider in the region. Our team of licensed and certified professionals is here to help, dedicated to meeting your child’s needs, whether that entails private-duty home healthcare or any of our wide array of therapy services. We do same-week evaluations, and you will never be put on a waitlist, but will always get the support you need when you need it. We’ve been voted one of the TOP Pediatric Home Health Agencies in Houston, and our mission is to improve the lives of patients 0 to 21 years of age, offering personalized care for the children we serve and a reliable support system for their families. Contact us through our website for more information, or call (713) 766-3849 for nursing or (346) 536-5834 for therapy.