Childhood Anxiety In Children

How to Ease Anxiety in Children

By Liji Thomas, MD

Anxiety in children has several roots, such as family disagreements, separation from parents and regular care-givers. Fears are common in children but the presence of such feelings is not indicative of an anxiety disorder. Such disorders are, however, the most common form of mental disorder in children. They are manifested by extreme fearfulness, sadness or depression. Anxiety is called an internalizing disorder because it involves the child’s thoughts and emotional states. It can result in a negative perception of life, causing distress and inability to live normally.

Causes of childhood anxiety

A genetic or environmental contribution cannot be ruled out because the incidence of childhood

The difficulty is that many children with anxiety are not taken seriously in contrast with those suffering from other conditions such as depression. Many healthcare providers fail to understand that childhood and adolescent anxiety is a cause of great suffering and may persist into adolescence and adulthood. It may affect the way children perceive relationships with others, and the formation of such bonds. It may inhibit social interactions and limit academic or job opportunities. It may prevent the development of warm or supportive friendships. For these reasons, childhood anxiety disorders must be properly diagnosed and dealt with to optimize the child’s mental health and emotional

Regular physical exercise is to be modeled and recommended by going out with the children to play, do yard chores, or just doing physical work around the house. Sleep times should be sensible but realistic, allowing the child to have 9-10 hours of sleep every night. Stress reduction techniques including thankfulness and prayer can play a huge role in recovery, as can helping others. Helping children prepare for social interactions is also a good booster of recovery by providing necessary confidence and boldness to venture into company.

Prevention

While biological and temperamental factors may play a role in the genesis of anxiety in children, it is possible to foresee and forestall its development in many situations. This may involve teaching children how to overcome moodiness and emotional swings, advocating for them in situations where they are overwhelmed by the fear of danger, providing unconditional support and assurances of love by words and deeds, and supporting the child’s family if it is going through difficult emotional times such as the birth of a new child especially if the first child is accustomed to getting a good deal of