If a child seems to be exhibiting more anxiety than usual, this can be cause for concern. Anxiety can affect a child of any age and is more common in girls than boys. Anxiety is a natural part of the body’s “fight or flight” response to danger, which releases chemicals that influence heart rate, breathing and muscles. Children with anxiety disorders experience these reactions even though there is no immediate danger.
Some of the child anxiety symptoms parents should look for include a change in the child’s behavior, including avoiding activities or acting withdrawn. They may also complain of aches and pains, or talk about nightmares, which often involve the death of family members or friends. In older kids, declining grades or fluctuating school attendance can be signs of anxiety. It’s also worth noticing whether the child is avoiding people or places that make them feel anxious, which can be a sign of social anxiety disorder.
All children have fears, which are a normal part of development. For example, small children often have fears about spiders, monsters, ghosts or getting lost. These fears are usually irrational and pass as the child gets older, but it is still important to help them find ways to manage their anxiety so that they can get on with their lives.
Anxiety becomes a problem when it is out of proportion to the situation and interferes with daily life. Children and teens can benefit from therapy, which teaches them techniques to overcome their anxiety. There are many different types of therapy, but cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective. This type of therapy helps children change the way they think, which in turn changes their emotions and behaviors.
CBT can be done in a group setting, or in individual sessions with a therapist. A therapist can teach the child and their family how to cope with difficult situations, how to relax their bodies, and how to use self-talk to deal with negative thoughts. It’s also a good idea to create opportunities for communication, so the child can talk about how they are feeling with someone who cares.
Having a GP is the best place to start for any health concerns, especially if it feels as if the child has an anxiety disorder. It’s possible that the GP will refer the child to local children and young people’s mental health services for further assessment and treatment. For more information, see our article on children’s mental health support for further details. This includes the different types of therapy available, including betterhelp, which makes it easy to connect with a professional therapist online. It’s free to join and you can talk with a therapist in minutes. You can choose who you want to speak to and when you want, so it’s as convenient as possible. BetterHelp has been independently tested and is evidence-based. The results show that you can feel better and improve your mental health.