Anxiety is a common and completely normal part of childhood, but for some children, it can become overwhelming and interfere with their daily lives and coping skills. Social anxiety in kids is on the rise, which can affect healthy development. Sleep anxiety in children can pose significant problems to their health and well-being. Parents and caregivers must recognize the signs of anxiety in children to provide support, guidance, and intervention.
Our team at NeuroHealth Arlington Heights explores what anxiety looks like in children, from physical symptoms to behavioral indicators, and how it can affect them. By understanding how anxiety manifests in children, you can better support your child’s emotional health and implement strategies to help them cope effectively with their feelings.
How To Recognize Anxiety in Children
Generalized anxiety disorder in children can manifest in various ways, such as physically, emotionally, or mentally (affecting their performance at school). It’s important to remember that multiple factors, such as your child’s age, temperament, and whether they’ve experienced a trauma, can affect how they display anxiety. Early identification and intervention are vital for addressing anxiety and teaching your children healthy coping skills. If you suspect your child may feel anxious, seeking guidance from a pediatrician or mental health professional can help you determine an appropriate course of action.
It can be challenging to detect anxiety in kids because it can exist alongside or overlap with other disruptive behaviors or separate neurodevelopmental disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism. A professional diagnosis can help you understand the extent of your child’s struggles and how to deal with them appropriately. Do you want to know how to determine if your child is suffering from anxiety? Here are some common signs and symptoms:
- Complaining of physical symptoms, such as stomachaches, headaches, or other physical discomforts, without an obvious medical cause.
- Experiencing frequent fatigue, muscle tension, or restlessness.
- Avoiding certain activities, places, or social situations that make them feel anxious or uncomfortable.
- Worrying excessively about or fearing a wide range of things, such as their performance at school, how they fit in socially, or conflict at home.
- Showing clinginess and seeking constant reassurance from parents or caregivers.
- Displaying irritability, mood swings, or violent outbursts of anger.
- Becoming easily frustrated, agitated, or tearful when stressed.
- Showing signs of perfectionism and being overly self-critical.
- Having difficulty sleeping, experiencing bad dreams, or wetting the bed.
- Struggling to adapt to change or new things.
- Having difficulty concentrating and fidgeting constantly.
- Dealing with excessive fears, such as of the dark, germs, or tests.
- Getting easily distracted or being forgetful or disorganized.
- Suffering from panic attacks, shortness of breath, or trembling.
- Seeing the negative or danger in every situation.
Recent Statistics About Increasing Anxiety in Children
Anxiety in children is on the rise and has almost doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to various studies by JAMA Pediatrics (Vol. 175, No. 11, 2021), 11.6% of children were experiencing clinical-level anxiety in 2021, a 20% increase since 2007. New statistics show that 20.5% of kids around the world now suffer from anxiety, a massive jump since 2021.
These studies have reported that the pandemic played a significant role in this rise in anxiety in children, with participants listing stressors such as feeling socially isolated, missing important milestones, and facing increased family tension at home during lockdown. Other factors, such as school shootings, worrying about political unrest, and the war in Ukraine, have also contributed to this rise in anxiety disorders in children.
How To Help Children With Anxiety
Getting professional support and intervention as soon as possible is vital if you’ve noticed signs of anxiety in your child. Early intervention can help you and your child work together to build coping skills and resilience. In the meantime, the following suggestions can help you as a parent if you’re wondering how to treat anxiety in kids:
- Talk to your child about their anxieties and listen carefully to understand their concerns.
- Validate their feelings. Avoid making assumptions or dismissing how they feel.
- Create a safe and nurturing environment at home where your child feels secure and comfortable.
- Teach your child to recognize signs of anxiety so they can deal with it or ask for help.
- Establish predictable routines and schedules to reduce uncertainty and anxiety for your child, such as regular mealtimes, bedtimes, and daily activities.
- Give your child age-appropriate books and resources that explain their feelings.
- Help your child develop healthy coping skills and resilience by encouraging problem-solving, positive thinking, and self-confidence.
- Set realistic expectations based on their abilities and provide praise and encouragement.
- Practice simple relaxation techniques with your child, such as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation, to help them manage their anxiety symptoms.
- Encourage your child to engage in social activities and spend time with friends and peers.
- Take care of yourself as a parent, both physically and emotionally. Managing stress and prioritizing self-care ensures you can support your child and model healthy coping strategies.
- Schedule a pediatric neuropsychological assessment with a mental health professional at NeuroHealth Arlington Heights.
Visit NeuroHealth Arlington Heights
Ignoring your child’s anxiety can have a detrimental impact on their mental and emotional well-being and development, both now and in the future. Anxiety can affect your child’s self-image, confidence, and resilience for the rest of their life. Are you concerned about your child’s anxious symptoms? Visit NeuroHealth Arlington Heights in Illinois to get professional anxiety testing and treatment for your child. We can work with you and your child to build healthy coping skills and resilience. Contact us today to schedule a pediatric neuropsychological assessment.
Image by Ricky Turner is licensed with Unsplash License