Assisted Living: Dealing With Everyone's Emotions

Faqs About Anxiety Disorders In Children

24 May 2016 by Julia Gregory

Anxiety disorders are not limited to adults. It is not unusual for a child to experience anxiety, but when it interferes with his or her ability to function, treatment might be required. If you suspect your child is suffering from an anxiety disorder, here is what you need to know. 

What Are the Signs?

Many of the anxiety disorder signs that children experience are similar to those adults have. For instance, children might have difficulty concentrating, poor sleeping habits, or changes in diet. Other symptoms your child might have include:

• Clinginess to a parent
• Constant crying
• Uncontrollable outbursts
• Expressions of negative thoughts

Your child's anxiety could be rooted in a fear or phobia about specific thing, such as dogs. Your child could also have a fear that is not rooted in anything specific. 

How Is It Treated?

If you believe that your child is suffering from anxiety, it is important that you seek treatment immediately. If left untreated, your child's condition could worsen, and the symptoms he or she is experiencing now could carry on into adulthood. Some adults who have consistently suffered from anxiety throughout their lives can have trouble with maintaining employment, struggle with depression, and even develop thoughts of suicide. 

One of the best treatments available for anxiety is psychotherapy. A trained therapist can help identify the source of your child's anxiety and work with him or her to develop strategies to overcome their fears. 

Therapy can sometimes be coupled with the use of medication. Before agreeing to the use of an antidepressant to treat the disorder, talk to your child's therapist about the side effects. Once your child does start on the medication, make note of any side effects experienced and inform the therapist. 

What Can You Do?

In addition to seeking professional help for your child, there are things you and your family can do at home to ease some of his or her worries. For instance, you and the other parent can talk to the child about any fears or worries that he or she has. Reassure the child and talk to him or her about possible solutions to those fears. 

Another way you can help your child is to focus on creating regular routines. Routines can be reassuring to a child with an anxiety disorder. He or she knows what to expect from day-to-day. If there is going to be a disruption to the routine and you are aware ahead of time, be sure your child knows. 

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