Like adults, children are also prone to experiencing anxiety. Feeling anxious is a normal part of one’s life and kids of all ages are no exemption to this emotion. Children also undergo the same feelings and usually outgrow them as time passes. However, there are some types of anxiety that may get in the way of their usual routine. This is where parents can step in and try to understand what is going on.
Types of anxiety
Kids are exposed to different elements that may affect how they perceive and interact with their surroundings. This is the same situation when it comes to anxiety, wherein both external and internal factors are at play in detecting what exactly is making them anxious.
Here are a few common types of anxiety in children:
- Separation Anxiety (SAD) – It is normal for kids between 18 months to 3 years old to feel nervous when they are separated from their parents. Hence, they result to clinging to their parents/main caregivers and may miss out on school and other important events.
- Social Anxiety Disorder – This is characterized by an intense fear of social situations like performing in front of crowds or simply speaking to another individual. Social phobia can greatly affect your child’s ability and desire to maintain relationships with peers and family members.
- Specific phobias - This is usually an irrational fear of specific objects or situations. Your child may avoid certain situations which can hinder them from accomplishing their tasks.
What you can do
Harvard Health recommends a few ways for parents to try and help their children with anxiety:
- Personalize and externalize – acknowledging what causes their anxiety can help both of you know how to properly address the situation.
- Preview anxiety-provoking situations – if your child is suffering from social or specific phobia, it may be a good idea to inspect new places in advance to pinpoint possible triggers.
- Model confidence – children tend to mimic what they see and there is no better person to show them how to deal with life situations than their parents.
- Practice exposure – slowly reintroduce your child to situations that used to trigger his/her anxiety. This helps reset their past behavior and give them back the confidence that they need to move on.
Experiencing anxiety is a part of life. Children are not exempt from feeling this from time to time, but as their guardians, we can help them manage this while they are still young. For those with severe anxiety, set an appointment with a healthcare professional for proper assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
General disclaimer
Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/anxiety-in-children/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-disorders.html
https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/childhood-anxiety-disorders
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/anxiety-in-children-2018081414532
