Anxiety in children

Anxiety In Children

Although quite common, anxiety disorders in children often are
overlooked or misjudged, despite them being very treatable conditions
with good, persistent medical care.

Anxiety is a subjective sense of worry, apprehension, fear and distress,
Often it is normal to have these sensations on occasion, and so it is
important to distinguish between normal levels of anxiety and unhealthy
or pathologic levels of anxiety.

Anxiety disorders, when severe, can affect a child's thinking,
decision-making ability, perceptions of the environment, learning and
concentration. It raises blood pressure and heart rate, and can cause
a multitude of bodily complaints, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach
pain, ulcers, diarrhea, tingling, weakness,headaches and shortness of breath,
among other things.

All children experience anxiety. Anxiety in children is expected and
normal at specific times in development.

For example, from approximately age 8 months through the preschool years,
healthy youngsters may show intense distress (anxiety) at times of separation
from their parents or other persons with whom they are close. Young children may
have short-lived fears, (such as fear of the dark, storms, animals, or
strangers). Anxious children are often overly tense or uptight. Some
may seek a lot of reassurance, and their worries may interfere with activities.
Parents should not discount a child's fears. Because anxious
children may also be quiet, compliant and eager to please, their
difficulties may be missed. Parents should be alert to the signs of
severe anxiety so they can intervene early to prevent complications.

There are different types of anxiety in children.

Symptoms of separation anxiety include:

* constant thoughts and intense fears about the safety of parents and caretakers
* refusing to go to school
* frequent stomachaches and other physical complaints
* extreme worries about sleeping away from home
* being overly clingy
* panic or tantrums at times of separation from parents
* trouble sleeping or nightmares

Symptoms of phobia include:

* extreme fear about a specific thing or situation (ex. dogs, insects, or needles)
* the fears cause significant distress and interfere with usual activities

Symptoms of social anxiety include:

* fears of meeting or talking to people
* avoidance of social situations
* few friends outside the family

Other symptoms of anxious children include:

* many worries about things before they happen
* constant worries or concerns about family, school, friends, or activities
* repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or actions (compulsions)
* fears of embarrassment or making mistakes
* low self esteem and lack of self-confidence

Severe anxiety problems in children can be treated. Early treatment can
prevent future difficulties, such as loss of friendships, failure to
reach social and academic potential, and feelings of low self-esteem.

Treatments may include a combination of the following:
* individual psychotherapy
* family therapy
* medications
* behavioral treatments, and
consultation to the school.

If anxieties become severe and begin to interfere with the child's usual activities(for example separating from parents, attending school and making friends)
parents should consider seeking an evaluation from a qualified mental health
professional or a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

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