Anxiety in Children:
Recognizing the Signs Early
Recognizing the Signs Early
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Everyone experiences some amount of anxiety from time to time, children included. This can be common during stressful times such as before or during tests, moving to a new school or during times of family change. Some experiences can trigger expected worry or nervousness. These feelings can even motivate, help you to stay alert, improve focus or even to react appropriately during scary situations. Anxiety may be an unpleasant emotion, but it is a necessary feeling that can help young people prepare in managing challenging circumstances and disturbing life experiences.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
It is normal and understandable for children to feel anxious, embarrassed, panicked or scared at times. It is, however, alarming if symptoms of anxiety are severe and frequent.
There are several types of anxiety disorders a child may experience; some more common than others, such as separation anxiety and post-traumatic disorder. Symptoms are specific to the type of anxiety disorder, however, there are general symptoms that overlap. These symptoms may include:
- Unrealistic or exaggerated worry most of the time
- Fatigue or restlessness during waking hours
- Sleeping problem at night or drowsiness during the day
- Irritability
- Poor concentration
- Poor academic performance
- Muscle tension
- Heart palpitations
- Withdrawing socially from family and peers
- Hypersensitivity to criticism
Without proper treatment, childhood anxiety disorders can lead to severe adult anxiety and place children at higher risks for other conditions; such as depression, low self-esteem, academic problems, worsening physical health, interpersonal relationship challenges, and substance abuse.
Finding Early Treatment for Your Child’s Fears and Worries
Unfortunately, despite the common and uncommon signs of child anxiety, 80 percent of children with the condition do not receive appropriate treatment. This may be due to some symptoms being written off as part of adolescence. With still developing communication skills, a child struggling with anxiety may not be able to express their feelings accurately.
Symptoms of anxiety often respond best to early intervention. Like other mental health conditions, anxiety disorders tend to be chronic, but they can be properly treated. Most children with anxiety get better when help is provided sooner rather than later.
Help your child find relief from anxiety. Now more than ever, it is important to know about anxiety to help. Counseling has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety in children. Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC contracts with skilled therapists who can help. Call CCS today to get started.