Search results
People also ask
Do you notice your child's anxiety?
How do you know if a child is anxious?
What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety in kids?
Do children have anxiety?
When should I see a doctor for my child's anxiety?
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.
Apr 2, 2024 · How to help a child with anxiety? We bring expert parenting advice on assisting children to escape the cycle of anxiety. Learn what to do and not to do, anxiety treatments, and behavioral modification techniques.
- (212) 308-3118
- None of us wants to see a child unhappy, but the best way to help kids overcome anxiety isn’t to try to remove stressors that trigger it. It’s to h...
- Helping children avoid the things they are afraid of will make them feel better in the short term, but it reinforces the anxiety over the long run....
- You can’t promise a child that her fears are unrealistic—that she won’t fail a test, that she’ll have fun ice skating, or that another child won’t...
- It’s important to understand that validation doesn’t always mean agreement. So if a child is terrified about going to the doctor because she’s due...
- Encourage your child to talk about her feelings, but try not to ask leading questions— “Are you anxious about the big test? Are you worried about t...
- What you don’t want to do is be saying, with your tone of voice or body language: “Maybe this is something that you should be afraid of.” Let’s say...
- Let your child know that you appreciate the work it takes to tolerate anxiety in order to do what she wants or needs to do. It’s really encouraging...
- When we’re afraid of something, the hardest time is really before we do it. So another rule of thumb for parents is to really try to eliminate or r...
- Sometimes it helps to talk through what would happen if a child’s fear came true—how would she handle it? A child who’s anxious about separating fr...
- There are multiple ways you can help kids handle anxiety by letting them see how you cope with anxiety yourself. Kids are perceptive, and they’re g...
Children often can’t articulate when (or why) they feel anxious; anxiety in children can look different from adults — and kids at different ages will have different indicators as well. Some things to watch for that could indicate a younger child is having anxious thoughts include: irritability.
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.
- 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.
Wondering if your child has anxiety? Three common signs of anxiety in children include reassurance seeking, avoidance, and complaints of physical symptoms like tummy aches. Read more here!
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.
