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- Anxiety is something that all kids experience. How often they experience it and how severe it becomes will determine whether you should seek expert help for your child. If you notice signs such as excessive worry and fear or physical symptoms such as stomachache, headache, and tension, it might be time to see your child’s doctor.
www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/anxiety-symptoms-in-children
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Anxiety in Children. Anxiety in children is considered a disorder if worries or fears interfere with their life for more than six months. It might be hard to tell if your child is anxious. They might be irritable or complain of feeling sick. Early intervention and treatment can help.
Jan 27, 2024 · Anxiety disorders in children are outsized fears or worries that are hard to control. These worries disrupt children's being able to take part in play, school or social activities. Diagnoses include social anxiety, generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
- It's typically up to the adults in a child's life to identify whether the child has a mental health concern. Unfortunately, many adults don't know...
- Children can develop all of the same mental health conditions as adults, but sometimes express them differently. For example, depressed children wi...
- Warning signs that your child might have a mental health condition include: 1. Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or withdrawal that last a...
- If you're concerned about your child's mental health, consult your child's doctor. Describe the behavior that concerns you. Consider talking to you...
- Mental health conditions in children are diagnosed and treated based on signs and symptoms and how the condition affects a child's daily life. Ther...
- Common treatment options for children who have mental health conditions include: 1. Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or beh...
- Your child needs your support now more than ever. Before a child is diagnosed with a mental health condition, parents and children commonly experie...
- Overview
- What are the symptoms of anxiety in children?
- How is anxiety diagnosed in children?
- How is anxiety treated in children?
- What is the outlook for children with anxiety?
- The bottom line
Anxiety affects people of all ages, including kids. Approximately 7.1 percent of children aged 3 to 17 years old have diagnosed anxiety, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you’re noticing an increase in fear, stress, and worry in your child, you might be wondering whether they’re dealing with an anxiety disorder. Being able to identify the signs and symptoms is a critical first step in helping your child with anxiety.
Some of the general symptoms of anxiety that are present in kids include:
•excessive fear and worry often related to family, school, friends, or activities
•worry about things before they happen
•low confidence and self-esteem
•physical symptoms such as stomachache, headache, muscle aches, or tension
•fatigue and restlessness
If you’re wondering whether your child has an anxiety disorder, the first step is a conversation with your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider. They can help assess the severity and recommend a mental health expert or a clinic that specializes in diagnosing and treating children.
Once you find a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist to work with, they’ll likely do an evaluation involving a screening and assessment tools designed specifically for children.
Therapy
There’s empirical evidence supporting the short-term effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for children and adolescents. Most experts will try CBT first, especially for mild to moderate anxiety. CBT is considered the gold standard for treating anxiety. According to a 2015 review, several key components of CBT can help children manage anxiety symptoms. These include: •educating children and caregivers about anxiety •teaching techniques for managing symptoms •using cognitive restructuring to challenge anxiety-provoking thoughts •exposure to feared situations •practicing problem-solving for coping with anxious situations
Mindfulness training
Mindfulness-based interventions may also help children manage anxiety symptoms. Studies have found that using techniques from mindfulness-based treatments may help children and adolescents with separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety.
Medication
Prescription medications like SSRIs are often reserved for more serious cases of anxiety or in situations when using the two together seems appropriate. According to a 2018 study and research review, prescription medications like SSRIs are commonly a first-line pharmacotherapy treatment for pediatric anxiety. SSRIs that may be prescribed include: •fluoxetine (Prozac) •citalopram (Celexa) •escitalopram (Lexapro) •sertraline (Zoloft) •paroxetine (Paxil)
Children are very resilient. With the right interventions, including treatment and support, they can learn to manage anxiety symptoms and live a full life.
For some kids, anxiety may be a lifelong condition, but for others, the symptoms and effects may be temporary and related to a particular situation. The good news is that treatment is very effective, and the outlook for children, adolescents, and teens is very promising.
Your child’s doctor should ensure, however, that the anxiety symptoms aren’t the side effects of a particular medication. Medications that may cause anxiety symptoms include:
•bronchodilators
•nasal decongestants
•antihistamines
Anxiety is something that all kids experience. How often they experience it and how severe it becomes will determine whether you should seek expert help for your child.
If you notice signs such as excessive worry and fear or physical symptoms such as stomachache, headache, and tension, it might be time to see your child’s doctor. They can help determine whether a referral to a mental health expert is needed.
Other anxiety disorders occur mainly in children or are different in children. These include separation anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder (fear of being judged). Generally, with anxiety disorders: Children may refuse to go to school and give excuses such as a stomach ache as the reason. The disorders can run in families
If you notice that your child is fearful or feeling bodily discomfort in a specific place or around certain people, they could be experiencing anxiety. Paying attention to these behavior patterns may also be helpful in identifying the source of your child's anxiety.
Jul 2, 2019 · Some anxiety is normal. But when constant worries disrupt your child’s day-to-day life, that’s cause for concern. Find out when to talk to a pediatrician.
Small fears and worries are normal for kids and teens. But when worry morphs into distress so that everyday life is difficult or your child acts out, anxiety may be controlling parts of his or her life. Here are some guidelines on a few of childhood’s most common anxiety disorders.
