All kids feel fearful from time to time, but when they are worried or afraid much of the time and it is interfering with their daily activities, they may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Children with these disorders often have trouble in school, act irritably or angry, complain of frequent aches and pains or have difficulty sleeping. Their symptoms can also interfere with family and social interactions.
There are several scientifically proven and effective treatments for child anxiety, including psychotherapy and medication. The most common and effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps children learn to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors, so their symptoms can decrease.
In some cases, a doctor will recommend that a child take an antidepressant to reduce their symptoms. This is especially true for those with moderate to severe anxiety. The most common type of antidepressant prescribed is SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and these medications have shown great efficacy in reducing anxiety. However, SSRIs have been linked to an increased risk of suicidal behavior in a small number of children. Therefore, these medications should only be used in conjunction with a therapist who specializes in treating childhood and adolescent anxiety.
If a child has only mild to moderate anxiety, their therapist will most likely recommend CBT. Generally, this treatment will involve a series of sessions that teach the child how to cope with their feelings and gradually expose them to their fears in a controlled way so they can learn that the things they are most afraid of don’t usually happen.
This type of treatment is hard work for both kids and their parents, but it is typically well worth the effort as children begin to thrive again. As their fears diminish, they often start to enjoy the things they had been missing out on.
Research shows that some types of psychotherapy are more effective than medication for anxiety, but they do require the help of a skilled therapist. Other effective treatments for anxiety include relaxation therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.
No one clinician wants to put a kid on unnecessary medication, but the fact is that if children don’t respond to psychotherapy alone, sometimes an anti-anxiety medication is needed to reduce their symptoms enough to enable them to engage in the more helpful treatment. This can be a difficult decision for both the child and their parents, but it is usually a good choice when it is done in conjunction with a therapist who focuses on anxiety treatment. This approach has been proven to be the most effective, and gives children a set of tools they can use to treat their own anxiety in the future.