You’ve probably heard about some of the most effective ways of freeing your child from anxiety. From behavior modification to medication to natural remedies, these techniques are all out there waiting to help. But with so many choices out there, how do you know which one is right for your child? The fact is that anxiety can be difficult to treat because it can mimic or lead to other conditions that you or your child may have. Understanding the way your anxiety affects your child’s behavior will give you a better idea of what treatment is right for him.
Anxiety is actually the number one general mental health issue facing children today. In fact, the Anxiety Disorders Association says that anxiety in children has reached epidemic proportions. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association, anxiety is the leading sleep disorder in America. In addition, the Anxiety Disorders Association says that one in five kids have depression or anxiety. And while many adults have at least some form of anxiety disorder, the condition in children is much more common.
So how does anxiety affect your child? One of the common signs of anxiety in children is sleeping problems, such as frequent nightmares and waking up in the middle of the night. Other signs include irritability and being easily startled. Many children seem to experience panic attacks when they are around large crowds of people, or when they become stuck in traffic. Anxiety in children often prevents them from playing with classmates, even going to the bathroom, and can cause constant fear and anxieties about school and activities.
One of the biggest problems with treating anxiety disorders in children is that many children misdiagnose their symptoms. Doctors often fail to realize that children who exhibit typical anxiety symptoms may in fact be suffering from other illnesses, like urinary tract infection or even a cold. This means that when doctors treat children for anxiety as a symptom of another illness, the effects can be harmful. This is why it’s very important to talk to your doctor if you suspect that your child may have an anxiety disorder, so that he or she can make the correct diagnosis.
There are a few natural remedies that can help improve sleep patterns and anxiety symptoms, as well as treating other ailments such as allergies and physical pains. Drinking plenty of water, for instance, can improve brain function and relieve stress and tension, which can help anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress. Another natural remedy to consider is herbal tea made from St. John’s Wort or Kava.
The National Institutes of Mental Health says that the most common sleep problem in children is insomnia, which is associated with generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Children who have generalized anxiety disorders or GAD are often too anxious to fall asleep, even when they feel sleepy. If this is your child, relaxation techniques may be able to help, such as learning deep breathing or yoga. Learning deep breathing techniques is especially helpful because it helps to relax the body, which can then help to ease anxiety and stop the attack of a panic.