Does My Child Suffer From Anxiety?

It is usual for children to experience anxiety as they worry about new experiences or interacting with new people. Sometimes, the anxiety can become more serious. You may find your child is afraid to go to school or leave your side. They may find it difficult to go to bed alone. Anxious children often require frequent reassurance, and their behavior can make it difficult to make friends. They can develop an anxiety disorder that requires treatment. 
 

Understanding Anxiety Disorders 

Anxiety disorders can change a child’s behavior, mood, sleep patterns, and eating habits. They can lead to excessive fear and worry. Different anxiety disorders that affect small children and teens include separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Children may also suffer from selective mutism and specific phobias. Identifying the disorder helps to determine the best way to treat the condition. 
 

Signs of Anxiety in Children 

Parents or teachers may notice signs that a child is anxious. They may act upset or scared or refuse to do something or talk. Children may experience symptoms others may not notice, such as nervousness or worry. Some outward signs of anxiety include:
 

• Difficulty sleeping
• Complaining about stomachaches and other issues
• Shaking or acting jittery
• Becoming clingy towards parents or caregivers
• Avoiding people
• Being fidgety or having difficulty focusing in class

Sometimes, a child may have outbursts that appear defiant or oppositional. These are often a fight-or-flight response when the child feels anxious or fearful. 
 

What Causes Anxiety in Children?

Several factors can contribute to anxiety in children. They include:
 

• Brain chemicals. The way brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) work can increase the risk of a child developing anxiety. 
• Genetics. Some children are genetically predisposed to anxiety disorders. They inherit genes that make them prone to the condition. 
• Life experiences. Situations such as loss, death of a loved one, abuse, violence, or serious illness are risk factors for developing an anxiety disorder. 
• Learned behaviors. Children who grow up in families where others are anxious or fearful can learn the behaviors and become anxious themselves. 

Does Your Child Suffer From Anxiety? 

Trained psychiatrists can diagnose anxiety disorders. They will talk to you and your child to determine whether your child is anxious. They will ask questions and listen carefully. They will want to determine when and how often the anxiety occurs. It will help to diagnose the type of anxiety disorder your child may have. The psychiatrist may recommend a medical exam and laboratory tests to rule out underlying health conditions that may be causing the anxiety. 
 

Treating Anxiety Disorders 

A psychiatrist will recommend the best treatment, depending on your child’s condition. In many cases, they use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety disorders. During therapy, children learn how to manage anxiety, fear, and worry.
 

They learn how to identify their feelings and cope with the situation. Over time, the child will learn to cope in situations that evoke feelings of anxiety. Parents learn how to respond when their child is experiencing anxiety.
 

Untreated childhood anxiety can lead to anxiety disorders in adulthood. Many adults who suffer from anxiety recall struggling with the feelings since childhood. If not treated, it can lead to depression, low self-esteem, academic difficulties, and substance abuse. 
 

For more on whether your child suffers from anxiety, visit Casey Lester, MD, at our offices in Menlo Park or Palo Alto, California. Click here to book an appointment today.