All About Childhood Anxiety: What Parents Need to Know and Do - Plexus

 

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues affecting children today. Recognizing and understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for childhood anxiety disorders is crucial for early intervention and effective care. This comprehensive blog highlights the different types of pediatric anxiety disorders, their causes, and how they can be managed.

What is Anxiety in Children?

Childhood anxiety refers to excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that disrupts a child’s day-to-day life. While occasional worry is normal, persistent anxiety may lead to emotional distress and hinder academic, social, and physical development. Anxiety disorders in childhood can affect behavior, mood, and even sleep patterns.

How common is anxiety in children?

Anxiety disorders of childhood are quite prevalent. Studies show that between 7% and 20% of children may experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their childhood. It’s essential to identify and treat anxiety early to prevent it from becoming more severe in adolescence and adulthood.

Types of Anxiety in Children

Childhood anxiety disorders are conditions that cause excessive fear and worry in children and negatively impact their behavior, moods, and sleep patterns. Such disorders can affect their interactions and activities at home and school, and cause physical symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath. Some of the common types of childhood anxiety disorders include:

 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

This causes children to worry excessively about ordinary things like homework and tests, as well as other things like recess, riding the bus, illness, wartime, or losing a loved one. Children with this disorder often have trouble focusing in class or sleeping well, as well as trouble relaxing or having fun, even when doing things they like.

 

Social Anxiety Disorder

This causes children to feel extreme anxiety about what others will say or think about them. They may try to avoid being the center of attention at any cost and will typically have trouble answering in class or being called upon to present an assignment. Children with social anxiety disorder may complain of dizziness, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath before going to school or to meet others.

 

Separation Anxiety Disorder

This causes children to feel excessively anxious about being away from their parents or caregiver. They may refuse to go to school, playdates, or other social settings, and may cry or pretend to feel sick if they are compelled to go.

 

Selective Mutism

This is an extreme form of social anxiety that makes children unable to talk in social settings. However, this doesn’t mean that children never talk, simply that they can only talk at home or around people they are comfortable with.

 

Panic Disorder

This is more common in adolescents than in young children. It involves sudden anxiety attacks that cause shortness of breath, lightheadedness, a racing heart-rate, and feeling jittery.

 

Phobias

A phobia is an extreme and lasting fear of the dark, thunderstorms, insects, blood, needles, or other things. While it is normal for children to feel afraid of certain things, a phobia involves strong terror that inhibits the child’s normal activity. For instance, a child afraid of needles may refuse to go to the doctor altogether, and may panic even when seeing needles on TV.

Cause of Childhood Anxiety Disorders

There is often no clear-cut reason behind anxiety in children. Circumstances that could make one child anxious could leave another child unfazed. Some possible causes of childhood anxiety disorders include:

 

●     Brain chemistry: Conditions or genetics that inhibit the way neurotransmitters work could lead to heightened emotion and anxiety

●     Family history: Children with immediate family relatives who have had an anxiety disorder are more likely to have one too

●     Learned behavior: Children growing up in a family where everyone is anxious or ‘on edge’ all the time may pick up those behaviors

●     Life situations: The death of a loved one, serious illness, parents’ divorce, abuse, or bullying can lead children to develop anxiety disorders

What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in Children?

Children with childhood anxiety may display both emotional and physical symptoms. Some common kids anxiety symptoms include:

●     Constant worrying or fear

●     Irritability and restlessness

●     Avoiding social situations or school

●     Difficulty concentrating

●     Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares

●     Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or shortness of breath

What Are the Complications of Childhood Anxiety Disorders?

If left untreated, childhood anxiety disorders can lead to long-term complications. These may include:

●     Academic difficulties due to trouble concentrating

●     Poor social skills and relationships

●     Sleep disturbances

●     Risk of developing depression or other mental health issues in adolescence or adulthood

How is Anxiety in Children Diagnosed at Plexus?

At Plexus, we follow a three-part process in order to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis.

 

Step 1: Recognising Symptoms

The first step in diagnosing anxiety disorders in children is recognising the symptoms. Common signs include:

●     Separation anxiety symptoms: Excessive worry about being away from parents or caregivers, reluctance to go to school, and nightmares about separation.

●     Generalized anxiety disorder: Chronic worry about various aspects of life, such as school performance and social interactions, accompanied by physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches.

●     Social anxiety disorder: Intense fear of social situations, avoiding social interactions, and fear of being judged or humiliated.

●     Other symptoms: Restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

 

Step 2. Professional Evaluation

Once anxiety symptoms are observed, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation. This diagnostic process typically involves:

●     Clinical Interviews: We conduct interviews with the child and their parents to gather information about the child's symptoms, behavior, and family history.

●     Behavioral Assessments: Standardized questionnaires and behavioral assessments help us to identify specific anxiety disorders and measure the severity of symptoms.

●     Observation: Direct observation of the child's behavior in different settings, such as home and school, provides additional insights into their anxiety.

 

Step 3. Differential Diagnosis

It is important to differentiate anxiety disorders from other mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression. A thorough evaluation ensures an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Management and Treatment of Childhood Anxiety at Plexus

Treating childhood anxiety disorders involves a combination of therapy, family support, and lifestyle changes. At Plexus, we offer the following treatment options:

 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the most effective childhood anxiety disorder treatment. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. Key components of CBT include:

●     Cognitive Restructuring: Helping children recognize and challenge irrational fears and replace them with more realistic thoughts

●     Exposure Therapy: Gradually exposing children to feared situations or objects in a controlled manner to reduce anxiety over time

●     Skills Training: Teaching coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety

 

Family Therapy

Family dynamics can play a significant role in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders in children. Family therapy involves working with parents and siblings to improve communication, reduce stress, and create a supportive home environment. It can also help parents learn effective strategies to manage their child's anxiety.

 

School-Based Interventions

Collaborating with teachers and counselors can help children manage anxiety disorders in childhood within academic settings. School-based interventions may include accommodations like extra time for tests or quiet spaces for anxious children.

 

Lifestyle Changes and Home Strategies

Parents can implement various strategies to help manage their child’s anxiety disorders of childhood at home, such as:

●     Maintaining a consistent routine

●     Encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and proper sleep

●     Teaching relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness meditation

Early Intervention is Key

Early diagnosis and childhood anxiety disorder treatment can prevent long-term complications and promote a happy, fulfilling life for your child. If you suspect your child may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, reach out to Plexus for a professional evaluation and treatment plan.

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