One of the problems that cause great suffering to parents is anxiety disorders in children because of their negative impact on the child’s life, which affects his entire life, including studies, activities, etc. The World Health Organization has indicated that the percentage of children and adolescents suffering from anxiety has reached 4% in the world, which indicates the presence of a real problem that requires an understanding of the symptoms, causes, and how to treat, and this is exactly what we address in this article.
What is anxiety disorders in children?
Anxiety disorders in children are a psychological condition affecting the child that includes excessive or excessive fear and constant tension, which affects the child’s daily life and is reflected in his social relationships. This type of anxiety differs from normal anxiety in that it continues with the child for long periods without a clear reason.
There are various types of anxiety disorder in children, including 4 types that are the most common and include:
Causes of anxiety disorders in children
There are many causes of anxiety disorders in children, including the following:
- Genetic genes: The child becomes predisposed to the disease if there is a family history of infection.
- Environmental factors: such as the child being in a home full of stress and anxiety, or due to family problems, or the child being exposed to nervous shock due to the loss of a dear person.
- The nature of the child: Some children have a very sensitive nature to any situation they are exposed to in life, which makes them more vulnerable to injury.
- Exposure to a social problem: such as frequent bullying of a child because of his appearance or academic level, which affects him psychologically.
- Health problem: Frequent exposure to health problems and chronic pain may make the child feel excessively afraid and increase his feelings of anxiety.
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Symptoms of anxiety disorders in children
Some people believe that the symptoms of anxiety disorders in children are limited to psychological signs only. This is a completely wrong belief, as the symptoms are divided into physical, psychological, and behavioral as well, which are:
- Physical symptoms:
They include a feeling of fatigue, abdominal pain without an organic cause, frequent headaches, heart palpitations, severe sweating with tremors, in addition to sleep disturbances. - Psychological symptoms:
It includes constant anxiety and excessive fear that is not in keeping with the child’s age, always expecting the worst without a clear reason, and difficulty controlling feelings of anxiety and fear. - Behavioral symptoms:
Psychological symptoms affect the child and change his behavior until they make him avoid interacting with others at school, club, or gathering places, have sudden angry outbursts for no reason, become excessively attached to his family and refuse to separate from them, and are unable to concentrate on a specific activity or sport.
If your child shows the symptoms mentioned above, book your consultation now at مركز رفاة للصحة النفسية At Al-Mousa Hospital with the best mental health doctors in Al-Ahsa.
Treatment of anxiety disorders in children
Methods of treating anxiety disorders in children are divided into medication and behavioral psychotherapy. We will learn about each of them in detail below:
Treating anxiety with medications
Treating anxiety with medications must be done under complete medical supervision to ensure that they are appropriate for the child. Among the most important and best medications used to treat anxiety in children are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and sertraline. The doctor usually prescribes them in very low and simple doses that are appropriate to the age and weight of the child.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Cognitive behavioral therapy It is considered one of the most powerful treatments used by psychiatry to solve many psychological and behavioral disorders. This treatment focuses on changing the child’s negative thinking patterns and training him to confront fear. It includes multiple sessions that gradually expose the child to anxiety-provoking situations and teach him new ways to deal with those situations properly.
The Rafah Psychiatry Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital adopts cognitive behavioral therapy sessions with children to treat their fears and the pressures they are exposed to. This is done by experts and specialists in psychological support for pediatric and adult patients, in addition to providing a safe environment for the child that preserves the privacy of him and his family.
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What are the ways to relieve anxiety in children?
One of the best ways to relieve anxiety in children is to learn relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and meditation to reduce stress, in addition to relying on a regular daily routine that helps the child feel safe and reduces psychological pressure, in addition to play therapy through the use of games and drawing to encourage the child to express his feelings without fear.
Instructions for parents when a child suffers from anxiety
The Rafah Psychiatry Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital provides you with some advice for parents when their child suffers from anxiety, including:
- Reducing pressure on the child.
- Make time for rest and play.
- Paying attention to healthy nutrition and exercise.
- Maintain calm in front of the child, especially in difficult situations.
- Teach the child skills to deal with anxiety, and a psychologist can help you with this step.
How to prevent anxiety disorders in children?
There are recommendations adopted by doctors and psychologists to prevent anxiety disorders in children, including:
- Be a good role model for your child, as the child is a mirror of his parents.
- Building a stable and safe environment for the child without fear or threat.
- Show psychological and emotional support to the child and encourage him to express his feelings without fear.
- Avoid overprotecting the child and teaching him to rely on himself without comparison with others.
- Enhancing self-confidence by praising the child’s achievements without excessive amounts and handing him some responsibilities.
Whatever the type of anxiety disorders in children, the doctors at Rafah Psychiatry Center can deal with them with experience and professionalism so that your child emerges from this crisis safely. All you have to do is not neglect the child and go immediately to a specialized psychiatrist to begin the treatment journey. Children are trustworthy and need care and attention in order to grow up in a good psychological environment.
Frequently asked questions
Below we answer the most common questions that concern parents about anxiety disorders in children:
How do I know if my child suffers from anxiety?
You can know this by the signs that appear on the child, such as excessive unjustified fear, frequent complaints of strange physical symptoms, always clinging to you, excessive tension and nervousness, lack of concentration and poor performance.
What are the signs of psychological stress in children?
Signs of psychological stress in children are divided into physical, such as headaches and pain with appetite changes and sleep disturbances, and psychological, such as excessive fear, sadness, frequent crying spells, and excessive nervousness, with sometimes aggressive behavior.
What are the most common anxiety disorders in children?
General anxiety, fear of separation from parents, and social phobia are the most common anxiety disorders in children. They may seem like normal behaviors, but if they continue for a period of months and years, they are a medical condition that requires treatment.
Sources..
Anxiety in Children – clevelandclinic
