Introduction
Children and young people experience worry and anxiety on occasion, just like adults do.
However, your child could require assistance if their anxiety is beginning to negatively impact their well-being.
What causes anxiety in kids?
At different ages, different factors might cause anxiety in children. A large portion of these anxieties are typical of growing up.
It is fairly usual for young children to have separation anxiety between the ages of six months and three years. When taken from their parents or other caregivers, they could cry and become needy. This is a typical developmental stage for children and should end when they reach the age of two or three.
Preschoolers frequently experience the development of phobias or particular anxieties. When children are young, common phobias include those of animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood, and the dark. Usually, these anxieties fade gradually on their own.
A youngster may experience anxiety at different points throughout their lives. For instance, a lot of kids experience anxiety before examinations and exams or when they start a new school. Some kids struggle with social anxiety and may benefit from assistance.
When does anxiety become an issue for kids?
When a child’s anxiety starts to interfere with their daily life, it becomes an issue.
All students will be nervous when exams are around, but some may be so nervous that they are unable to arrive at school that morning.
This kind of severe worry can negatively impact children’s mental and emotional health, impairing their confidence and sense of self. They could retreat and take extreme measures to stay away from items or circumstances that give them anxiety.
What symptoms might a youngster exhibit of anxiety?
Young children sometimes struggle to comprehend or articulate their feelings when they are anxious. You may see that they:
- become agitated,
- emotional, or clinging;
- struggle to fall asleep;
- wake up throughout the night;
- begin to pee the bed;
- experience nightmares
In children more than 10 years old they:
- lack the will to attempt new things or appear incapable of handling common, everyday difficulties
- have trouble focusing
- having difficulty eating or sleeping; occasionally become irate
- possess a lot of pessimistic ideas or persistently believe that horrible things will occur
- begin avoiding routine tasks like going to school, going out with friends, or attending to public spaces.
Why does my kid feel nervous?
Anxiety and worry are more common in certain kids than in others.
Children frequently struggle with change and may experience anxiety while moving to a new school or after relocation.
Anxiety can arise in children who have experienced something upsetting or traumatic, such a house fire or automobile accident.
Children who see family disputes and disagreements may also experience anxiety and insecurity.
Compared to other age groups, teenagers are more prone to experience social anxiety, which causes them to avoid social situations or find ways to get out of them.
How to support a youngster who is nervous
There are things that parents and other caregivers may do to support a kid who is suffering anxiety.
It’s crucial to have a conversation with your child about any anxieties or anxieties they may have. Give them comfort and demonstrate your understanding of their feelings.
Explaining to your child what anxiety is and how it affects our body physically could be helpful if they are old enough. The analogy that worry is like a wave that swells and then subsides may be useful.
It’s crucial to assist your child in finding answers in addition to having a conversation with them about their anxieties and fears.
For instance, it’s normal to want to advise your child not to go to a sleepover if they’re frightened about it. This might, however, indicate that your youngster believes their fear will prevent them from acting.
It’s preferable to acknowledge their worry and offer helpful suggestions so they may arrive at the overnight prepared.
Additional strategies for reducing anxiety in kids include teaching them to recognize the symptoms of anxiety in themselves, supporting them in managing their worry, and asking for assistance when necessary.
Routines are comforting to kids of all ages, so when you can, strive to maintain consistent daily routines.
When a change, like moving house, is about to happen, prepare your child by explaining what will happen and why. Try not to become overly protective or anxious yourself. Practice basic relaxation techniques with your child, like taking three deep, slow breaths and counting to three. If your child is anxious due to distressing events, like a bereavement or separation, look for books or films that will help them to understand their feelings.
Young children can benefit from diversion. Play activities on the drive there, such seeing who can locate the reddest vehicles, if they are nervous about getting to the nursery.
Encourage your youngster to “post” (write or draw) their fears into the box. Then, at the end of the day or week, you may jointly go through the box.
When to contact a Child psychologist
It is advisable to seek assistance if your kid experiences significant anxiety that interferes with their daily activities and persists. Child Psychologists at TalktoAngel help to eliminate all the symptoms of anxiety from your child. They give personalized online counselling according to child’s need and thus help in overall development of the child.
