Children With Anxiety

Everyone has worries from time to time.  It’s not just exclusive to adults; children have worries too.  Some anxiety in children is common and even considered part of growing up.  Children with anxiety are experiencing far more stress in their lives that is healthy for them.

All children have behavioral phases of anxiety they go through before they reach adulthood. This is why so many children with anxiety fly under the radar, because it can be hard for people to know what is a normal level of anxiety in children.

Kids today are exposed to TV or Internet news like never before.  News tends to sell best when reporting trauma, wars, strife, disease, famine, and natural disasters. People don’t tune in to hear the latest happy news.

Tv shows like to include graphic pictures with their stories.  Do children really need to see dead bodies,car bombs or any one of the 100 other things that happen every day? It shouldn’t really be a surprise that anxiety in children is on the increase.

We never really think of anxiety being a major problem for children but children with anxiety are becoming more and more common and unless adults take some more control it is going to carry on getting worse.

Children With Anxiety

Kids are more attuned to what is going on in your life than you realize.  Do you have problems -
financial worries
job worries
medical worries
marriage worries

Children with anxiety problems get them because they not only hear you talk when you think they’re not paying attention, but also can feel it or sense it when you’re uptight or worried.  Discussing your problems with others is very therapeutic for you; just make sure there are no little ones within earshot.

They may also have phobias at the younger ages. An example of that would be fear of the dark or monsters under the bed. Their imagination is also their reality until they are older and able to discern the differences.

Upcoming major events can cause anxiety in children. Starting school, moving to a new home, having a new sister, or parents divorcing are major events. These can definitely cause anxiety in anyone, but especially children who are yet unable to cope with the unknown. Explain new situations as thoroughly as possible to your kids before they happen.  If you encourage their questions you will see what their fears are and can help alleviate them.

Children with anxiety can be any age and either sex. It is not always easy to tell if a child is experiencing anxiety.  Here are some physical symptoms of anxiety:

* overly clingy
* fears for other family members
* avoidance of social situations
* trouble sleeping
* frequent stomachaches
* repeating the same actions over and over
* very low self-esteem

It’s also hard to know if it’s just a phase or really an anxiety disorder.  If you’re unsure or have concerns, seek help. A qualified professional can help you cope when you have children with anxiety.