Anxiety In Kids

Anxiety is the most common mental health problem among kids worldwide. 1 in 10 children in the world suffers from an anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, many times, their symptoms are overlooked. But if the anxiety in kids is not treated in the right manner, it can cause a lot of issues in later stages of life, personally and professionally. 

This is why it is important for parents to be educated about anxiety and lookout for signs of anxiety in kids. From the get-go, parents should build a healthy communication channel with their kids. This will allow the children to talk about what they are feeling with their parents and get timely treatment. Identifying these signs and symptoms of anxiety is the first step towards treatment and recovery.

We, at Cadabam’s Hospitals have have been providing clinically verified and evidence based treatment plans for 3 decades. Our team of experts including child psychologist, psychiatrist, family therapist and other professionals ensure that a personalised care plan for Anxiety disorder is curated to cater to all your and your loved one’s needs.  If you wish to talk to an expert about your child or you know someone who might need professional support, reach out to us on our 24x7 helpline +91 97414 76476 or email us at info@cadabamshospital.com.

What is Anxiety In Kids?

Does any of these sound like your child?

1. Excessive shyness
2. Avoiding social situations
3. Constant worrying
4. Complaints of frequent headaches or stomach aches
5. Experiencing sudden panic attacks

If your answer is yes to these statements, then it is alarming because your child may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. As a parent, you can help your child learn to deal with anxiety or manage it If you think that the symptoms are disrupting their daily life, you might want to consider seeking professional support.

What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety In Kids?

Kids who are suffering from anxiety tend to suffer from the following symptoms – 

1. Constantly crying 
2. Feeling fidgety and tired 
3. Using toilet frequently 
4. Being clingy 
5. Not sleeping 
6. Waking up in the middle of the night with bad dreams 
7. Finding it difficult to concentrate 
8. Not having proper diet
9. Feeling unwell and stomach aches 
10. Getting irritability and angry 

Fortunately, there are many ways you can help your children deal with these symptoms and avoid them from aggravating. Here they are:

5 Best ways you can help your child Deal with Anxiety

All children have to be taught coping skills in order to learn how to deal with anxiety and things they don't understand. 

Here are five things you can do to help your child cope and deal with anxiety.

1. Maintain a Balanced Sensory Diet - A balanced diet can ward off the meltdowns triggered by sensory sensitivities. Work with an occupational therapist to design a diet that will meet the specific needs of your child's emotional well-being and help keep it under control.
2. Try and Understand - The best thing you can do is to listen to what they are saying and look at it from within their perspective, then base your response around that viewpoint.
3. Don't Dismiss - When your child shares thier feelings with you, don't dismiss them. Instead, validate your child's feelings by letting them know that it's okay to feel that way and that you're always there for them. While you may think your child is overreacting about something, thier feelings are very real to them. Don't ever dismiss the fact that they experience the world we live in in a completely different way.
4. Identify Stressors - It is important to help your child identify the stressors in thier life and show them how those stressors can cause the symptoms of anxiety they are currently experiencing. Use real-life stressful situations as your laboratory and dissect them together.

Regardless of how prepared you are and how much effort you have put into helping your child cope with anxiety, there will be times when your child's stress will suddenly tip out of balance, and overwhelm them. Know that your efforts are not in vain; even the best of us lose the ability to cope with stressful situations at times. 

Anxiety Treatments for your Child

Anxiety in children can be terrifying for any parent. Watching your child go through great lengths just to avoid facing their fears can be devastating. What's worse is that if this condition is left untreated, it can cause a lot of distress to your childhood and will take a toll on their overall well-being.

Anxiety treatments help by providing practical tools and strategies to manage and deal with anxiety, whether your child has been diagnosed with anxiety or just beginning to show the symptoms. You can learn more about what anxiety treatments you can choose to help your child deal with anxiety the best way.

Following are the treatment options for anxiety in kids:

• Therapy 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for anxiety in kids. This therapy focuses on changing the behavioral pattern in the children that are causing a rise in the symptoms of anxiety. The therapists work to instill positive thoughts and behaviors in order to alleviate the issue. 

• Antidepressants 

Antidepressants are used to treat anxiety in kids. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the medications that are most commonly prescribed to kids with anxiety. With the right dosage and treatment plan, this drug can be transformative in treating anxiety in children. 

Why Choose Cadabam’s Hospitals?

Cadabam’s Hospital is a medical center which is dedicated to providing psychiatric and neurology treatments. There is an experienced team of psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, therapists, and physicians, who together work to formulate the best plan to treat your kid’s anxiety. With over three decades in this field, you can rest assured of getting the best treatment for anxiety for your kids. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the types of anxiety in kids?

Following are the types of anxiety that can affect your kids – 

1. Generalized anxiety disorders b. Separation anxiety disorders
2. Selective mutism 
3. Specific phobia 
4. Panic disorder
5. Social anxiety disorder

How can parents help children with anxiety?

Parents play a significant role in helping their kids cope with anxiety. Following are the steps that parents can take – 

1. Respect the kids’ feeling 
2. Be positive; however, keep realistic expectations 
3. Don’t overlook things because it makes your kid anxious 
4. Avoid asking leading questions 

What can trigger children’s anxiety?

Events or experiences that are stressful or difficult to cope with can trigger anxiety among kids. These events may include the death of loved ones, serious illness, abuse or violence, etc. 

At what age does anxiety generally start?

Generally, the symptoms of anxiety can be seen from the age of 7 years. PTSD and OCD are closely linked with an anxiety disorder. 

Can you grow out of anxiety?

It is not a disorder that you can actually grow out of after a particular period. With proper care and treatment, you can keep the symptoms under control.

If the problem requires outside help, consider seeing a counselor or therapist who could better address the issue and enable your child to discuss their fears more openly. For any help or assistance to support your child deal with anxiety, we are here. Call us now at +91 97414 76476 or visit Cadabam's Hospitals today.