Anxiety is something that everyone experiences from time to time. It is natural and necessary for survival. Worrying from time to time is not something that should cause worry. However, there are people, adults and children, that experience a mental condition known as general anxiety disorder, or GAD.
Young children often feel anxious when separated from a parent, but many times they can be distracted and forget about the feeling. It is also quite common for children to cry when being left at preschool or daycare. Fortunately, as they become engaged in their new environment, many of them will stop crying quite quickly.
A small percent of children, however, can take quite some time to calm down. When this happens, it could be a form of anxiety. It is most common for school aged kids to be suffer from the condition.
Many children deal with anxiety. It is actually the top mental health issue facing children and teens. Unfortunately, those with the disorder will worry excessively to a point that disrupts their normal daily routine. For instance, they will worry about various things, such as family issues, grades, their performance in music or sports, and any other thing that is part of their life. There are many difficulties that those with childhood anxiety deal with. The upside is that this disorder is quite easy to treat.
Childhood anxiety causes those affected by it to be very hard on themselves. Depending on the severity of the condition, the child will worry about nearly all aspects of their life. Not only that, but they will also likely be a bit of a perfectionist. A child with anxiety will a lot of times think that the worst will happen. Along with the worry, children may display physical symptoms. Some of these include stomachaches, tiredness, muscle tension, and headaches. These symptoms, coupled with their feelings of anxiety can cause them to miss out on a lot, including school and social activities.
With intervention, however, the child and their family can see a drastic improvement in their quality of life. This can help the child grow out of their fears through learning helpful skills to help them cop with life.
If you find that a child in your life is dealing with unnecessary worry that is affecting their quality of life, you should seek help. Depending on your insurance, you may need to start by contacting your primary care physician. They can discuss the symptoms with you and then help you make the next step for treatment.
In conclusion, worrying excessively is something that many children deal with. Fortunately, there are options for relief. As you deal with a child that is displaying the symptoms of anxiety, you can do what you can to help them overcome their fears and improve their quality of life. Use what you learned here and make an appointment with your child’s doctor. By taking the first step, you and your children can have a much happier future.
Leave a Reply