Children's Anxiety
Types of ChildrenĄ¯s Anxiety & How to Deal with
Them
Anxiety is a disorder which can be so overpowering that it
takes total control over oneĄ¯s life and leave one feeling
alone and helpless. When this disorder is hitting on the children,
the situation will worsen as the child is not able to differentiate
fears which can be overcome.
ChildrenĄ¯s anxiety symptoms are typical of any anxiety syndrome.
Often, they will feel that their heart is racing and their
head is spinning. And in some cases, children have stomach
aches and a lump in their throat. All of the children will
react to these symptoms in different ways. It is more difficult
for the younger ones to express their feelings so they can
only cry. And as they grow older, they throw tantrums, make
excuses to avoid the stressor and often go into the stage
of silent mutism.
How Should We Look At ChildrenĄ¯s Anxiety?
One of the earliest types of childrenĄ¯s anxiety is separation
anxiety and this condition is found in children between the
ages of 18 months to three years. These children are often
seen clinging to their mothers and have a great problem sleeping
alone. Therefore, parents should expect a fight when the child
reaches school going age and should begin to deal with the
problem before that stage arrives.
Social anxiety disorders often influence children in pre-school
and grade school. It is part of the separation anxiety, where
children refuse to go to school in fear of the social interactions.
This situation happens when the child is afraid of recess,
the bus or the cafeteria. Proper evaluation should be done
before any interventions, since most of the time there is
a particular teacher or class bully which is the root of the
anxiety.
General anxiety disorders tend to involve different aspects
of the childĄ¯s life. This disorder is most obvious at the
ages of seven to eleven years. It is seen as extreme worrying
about some thing which may seem trivial to others. Children
are often pre-occupied with their looks, sports, punctuality,
cleanliness etc.
Particular phobias may affect children of all age. Almost
all children are afraid of something or the other when they
are young, but for the phobia that lasts for more than six
months and affects the childĄ¯s daily routine should be given
utmost importance.
Medications should be the last way out for dealing with childrenĄ¯s
anxiety. With proper counseling and cooperation at home and
school, these little ones can overcome this condition and
can live the happy and carefree life, they are entitled to.
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