Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness caused by fear. It can make children
feel tense, nervous, or afraid.
All children feel some anxiety at different stages in their lives. This
is normal.
What can cause anxiety in children?
It is normal for children to feel some anxiety. But if it interferes with
their daily lives or with the family, then they may need help from a doctor.
Children often feel anxiety when they have to be separated from a parent
or other loved one.
Children and adolescents may worry about making friends at school, doing
well in sports, or getting good grades.
Some children are afraid to meet new people.
Children often worry about things that could happen. They worry, "What if..."
Some children worry about one thing over and over again. For example, a
child might constantly worry that someone will forget to pick him up from
school.
Children can feel anxiety if they have low self-esteem (feel bad about themselves).
Children ages 2-6 are often afraid of make-believe things, such as monsters
or being in the dark.
Children ages 7-12 often are afraid of things that could happen to them,
such as getting hurt in a car accident or losing a parent.
What are the different kinds of anxiety a child might feel?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
A child with generalized anxiety worries a lot about everyday events.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Children with OCD can't seem to stop themselves from doing something
over and over again.
Panic Disorder
A child with panic disorder has an extreme fear that hits all of a sudden.
It can cause chest pain, a fast pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness,
or stomach pain.
Stranger Anxiety
Infants often feel stranger anxiety. When they are around someone they
don't know, they cling to their parents.
Separation Anxiety
At around 10-18 months old, toddlers feel separation anxiety. It upsets
and frightens them to be away from a parent or other loved one.
Children may refuse to go to school or stay at a friend's house.
They may be clingy.
They may throw tantrums or panic when a parent or loved one tries to
leave.
They may have nightmares or trouble sleeping.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
A child might feel anxiety after a very bad life event, such as a housefire.
The memory of the bad event is usually vivid.
Phobias
A phobia is when a child is very afraid of one kind of thing, such as
flying, insects, storms, or meeting new people.
The fear is extreme and hard for the child to control.
Children usually grow out of their phobias.
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Children may be tense or get upset easily.
They may seek reassurance, wanting to be told again and again that they
are okay.
They may not want to take part in activities.
They may be quiet and withdrawn.
They may be eager to please.
Anxiety increases the heart rate and children may sweat.
The child might have a stomach ache or
stomach cramps.
How can I help my child?
Pay close attention to your child. If his anxiety goes unnoticed, it can
lead to bigger problems.
If you think your child is feeling anxiety, talk to him about his fears.
Teach your child how to rate how afraid he is. Is he very, very afraid,
kind of afraid, or just a little afraid? Talking about the fear will help
your child control it.
Do not ignore your child's fears. Acknowledge that they exist. Tell your
child that it's okay to be afraid but also try to show why he doesn't have
to be afraid. Show him ways he can control his fear.
Do not give in to your child's fears. For example, if your child is afraid
of dogs, don't avoid them. Act normal when you are around dogs. Use it as
a chance to teach your child that he does not have to be afraid of them.
Help your child take small steps to overcome his fears. For example, work
toward leaving a night light on instead of a brighter closet light. Or, work
toward getting closer and closer to a dog until your child is no longer afraid
to pet it.
How long will my child's anxiety last?
Children usually grow out of their fears. Sometimes, they grow out of an
old fear but start having a new fear.
You should talk to your doctor if your child is unable to overcome his fear
or if the fears interfere with his daily activities or with the family.
How is anxiety treated?
The doctor might advise you to take your child to a child or adolescent
psychiatrist, a doctor who will help your child talk about his fears and teach
him ways to control it.
Treatment is different for every child.
It may include talking to only the child about his fears, talking to the
child and the family together, medication, teaching the child how he can change
his behavior, or talking to teachers about how they can help.
When should I call the doctor?
Call if your child's anxiety greatly disrupts his social, academic, or personal
life.
Call if you have questions or concerns about your child's health.
Quick Answers
Anxiety is a feeling of uneasiness caused by fear. All children feel anxiety
sometimes. This is normal.
Anxiety can be caused by worries about school, friends, family, or by other
fears, such as fear of meeting strangers or fear of being separated from loved
ones.
Children can feel many different kinds of anxiety.
Children who are feeling anxiety may be tense or get upset easily.
Do not ignore your child's fears. Acknowledge that they exist. Tell your
child that it's okay to be afraid but show him reasons for not being afraid.
Children usually grow out of their fears.
The doctor might advise you to take your child to a psychiatrist. Treatment
is different for every child.
Call if you have questions or concerns about your child's health.
References
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The Anxious Child.
2000 December (cited 2001 December 10). URL: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/anxious.htm
National Institute of Mental Health. Childhood Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders.
(cited 2001 December 11). URL: http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Rutherford, K MD. Coping with Anxieties, Fears, and Phobias. KidsHealth.
2001 September (cited 2001 December 11). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/anxiety.html
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