Some fear and worry is normal in children, but when it becomes extreme or long-lasting and interferes with a child’s daily life, it may be time to see a mental health professional. It’s important to visit a pediatrician first to rule out any medical reasons for a child’s anxiety and then get a referral for a therapist. A type of cognitive behavioral therapy called exposure therapy can help kids face their fears and learn to manage them. Some kids also benefit from medication.
Children with anxiety are at higher risk for depression and substance abuse problems later in life, so it’s critical to treat them early. It’s especially helpful for parents to practice stress-reduction techniques and set aside regular nonjudgmental time with their children so they can open up about their concerns.
Most of the irrational fears that small children have, such as being afraid of the dark, insects, ghosts and kidnappers, are normal for their age and will pass as they grow up. But more intense and lasting fears, such as a fear of social situations, separation anxiety or specific phobias, can be treated by helping them slowly face the source of their fear and using calming strategies.
Watch your own behavior around your children, as they often mimic the way their parents react to things that scare them. Also pay attention to your tone of voice and body language as you talk about the things that make your kids anxious. Your children will pick up on your emotions and if you’re stressed out, they’ll be more likely to feel worried.
When children are anxious, they’re prone to trying to avoid the thing that scares them, which keeps their anxiety low for awhile. But then avoidance can actually increase their anxiety, because they’re not confronting the fear and learning to tolerate it. It’s often best to help kids gradually approach their fear, letting them know it will be OK if they have a negative reaction at first.
Children with generalized anxiety can often be helped with a combination of medication and psychotherapy, but even very severe phobias can be treated with exposure therapy and relaxation techniques. Most importantly, don’t give up if your child isn’t responding to treatment right away. It takes a lot of patience to overcome anxiety, but most children who get treatment will learn to manage it and lead productive, healthy lives.