Is Your Child Anxious? What Can You Do?
Most people associate anxiety with the stresses and fears adults have to deal with. Unfortunately, children can be just as susceptible to anxiety and may have a harder time processing it.
No parent wants to think about their child struggling with anxiety, but it can happen. In these uncertain times, so much seems unfamiliar. It’s easier than ever for children to feel more anxious.
The best thing you can do to help your child is to recognize the signs of anxiety. When you have a better understanding of what an anxious child looks like, you can take the proper steps toward getting them the help they need.
So, how can you tell if your child is anxious? What should you do if they are?
Why Do Children Get Anxious?
Kids can develop anxiety for many of the same reasons adults do. Things like loss, serious illnesses, violence, or even abuse can contribute to anxiety in children.
Changes in school, bullying, or watching their parents deal with anxiety can also impact and influence a child. If you’re prone to anxiety and show a lot of symptoms, your child could pick up on it and start to develop anxieties of their own.
It’s important to get to the root cause(s) of anxiety to help with treatment. Therefore, pay attention to any changes in your child’s life that might be contributing to their anxious thoughts.
You know your child better than anyone, so you should be their first line of defense if they start to develop anxious thoughts.
What Are the Signs of Anxiety?
Because children might not be able to understand or express their own feelings, symptoms of anxiety can be different. However, some of the most common signs include
Difficulty concentrating
Sleeping problems
Constant worrying
Fidgeting
Easily angered or irritable
Again, children can express anxiety in different ways. If you start to notice changes in your child’s behavior, don’t take it lightly, and consider what could be causing it. Their anxiety might also cause them to become standoffish. They might start to withdraw from friendships, or stop showing interest in activities they typically love.
While it’s never a good idea to “assume” something is wrong, you also don’t have to wait to ask your child how they’re feeling. Pay attention to these signs and gauge the best time for a conversation.
How Can You Help?
Encouraging your child to acknowledge their feelings is a great place to start. Again, the best way to treat anxiety is to get to the source of what’s causing it. Your child might not fully understand that, so it’s up to you to help them get to that root cause.
From there, you can work together to work through their fears. That can include management techniques like mindfulness, staying physically active, or even starting a journal if they’re age-appropriate.
In some cases, you might not know exactly what to do to help your anxious child. Even if you’ve recognized the signs and know there’s a problem, it’s important to treat anxiety the right way. It doesn’t usually go away on its own and can lead to lasting mental health issues for your child if not addressed.
With that in mind, don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist if you know your child is struggling. Therapy can help your child develop a better understanding of what’s causing their anxiety. It will also help them develop effective strategies for managing it. Taking care of anxiety early on will help your child take control of their life once again, and have a better handle on their mental health as they grow.
Please read more about child therapy and schedule a consultation today.
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