Children are known as sources of happiness, love, hope, and fun. They are considered as angels sent by God as a gift in every couple. They are filled with fun and wonder, especially growing up. During their younger years, they are busy discovering different life facts, playing, and enjoying life. When they grow old, the level of their consciousness increases, making them think critically and maturely.
Despite all of that, children are still prone to personal problems, especially mental health concerns. One of these is anxiety, which can affect their development, behavior, and the way they perceive the world. Given that, here is a brief discussion of anxiety and its effect on children. We are going to dig out the truth about anxiety in children to gain better knowledge and to understand them in a better sense.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety refers to the natural response of our body to stress. It is the feeling of apprehension and fear about a specific event to come in life. Some examples of that are the first day of school, meeting new people, presenting in class, getting a job, delivering a public speech, and so many more.
For children, anxiety makes them feel anxious and worried from time to time. This can be seen mostly when going to nursery or school, as well as moving to a new environment.
Some children with anxiety are deeply affected in their thinking and behavior that also interferes with their home, school, and social life. This is the sign to call for medical and professional help to give a solution as early as it can.
For further details, below are the symptoms of anxiety in children.
Symptoms of anxiety in children
- Having a hard time to concentrate
Children with anxiety are disturbed, and it makes them have a hard time concentrating or focusing on what they are doing, especially their studies. Despite the silence, a troubled mind still hinders them from being at peace and silence.
- Waking up at night with bad dreams, unable to sleep
Another symptom of anxiety is when the children mostly wake up at night due to bad dreams. They can be heard screaming and crying for help as a bad dream devours them. Also, the inability of them to sleep is also a symptom that must be considered.
- Unhealthy eating habit
The next symptom to look for is an unhealthy eating habit. Children do like to eat a lot, especially sweets. However, seeing them have an unhealthy or improper habit in eating is a sign showing that they are victims of anxiety. Excessive eating or not eating at all is a great example.
- Gets irritated and angry easily
Getting easily angry and irritated are also the next symptoms of anxiety in children. It can happen even for the simplest reason, and it must not be neglected.
- Constant thinking negatively and worrying
Another symptom that shows anxiety is when the children think negatively and feels worried. Even with shallow reasons, they can’t stop thinking that it can consume them, especially during night time. Instead of sleeping at peace, they are awake thinking and worrying.
- Using the toilet often
If the children are observed to be using the toilet often, then this is another symptom of anxiety. This is because they see it as a way to release anxiety, and they find comfort within the walls of the toilet room.
- Feeling unwell
Another symptom is when the children are feeling unwell. Having health problems and aches is also considered, and it must not be neglected.
- Crying
The last symptom of anxiety in children is when they always cry. Since crying is a well—known way of venting out emotions, children find this comforting to decrease the burden they feel inside.
Types of Anxiety
Separation Anxiety
This is the anxiety caused when people part ways in life or gets separated. This affects the children a lot, and one example of that is separating from their loved ones.
Social Anxiety
This is also another type of anxiety that is caused by the fear of socializing with other people. Some examples of this are fear in speaking out in public, delivering speeches, meeting new people, and a lot more. Children are also common victims of this anxiety, which affects the way they connect with the people around them, such as in school.
How to help children with anxiety?
Children may be prone to anxiety, but there are also effective ways on how to help them cope with it. Below are three ways on how to help the children survive anxiety.
Medical
Medical help is the first way on how to bring an end to anxiety in children. This medical help involves the diagnosis and consumption of pills that help in lowering the risks of anxiety attacks or having it worse.
Mental and Behavioral
The next way is through mental and behavioral. Here, counseling, meditating, and unwinding are the primary ways involved to help children cope up with anxiety. Their mental and behavior are being prioritized, being the most affected aspects of the life of children.
Spiritual
Faith communities and church groups are also considered as a way to treat anxiety in children. They are being pushed to interact with people that help them strengthen their spiritual aspect as a human.
Below are the specific treatments for anxiety in children:
Anxiety Medicines
As mentioned above, there are medicines produced to help relieve anxiety in children. This treatment is often offered to children who are in a severe stage of anxiety disorders. This is also because when counseling and therapy are no longer effective to end the anxiety.
Counseling
This is considered as the most used and recommended treatment for anxiety, which involves a deep conversation and sincere interaction. This helps the children understand themselves, as well as to make them realize that they still have a hope to heal.
CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The last treatment for anxiety is the so-called CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is the treatment wherein a therapist talks to a child to help him manage anxiety.
