5 signs of chronic anxiety in children…and 5 steps to treat the problem
Has your child ever cried, refusing to go to school? Or does he no longer want to go to the club and practice his usual activities and hobbies? Be aware that the problem may go beyond childish stubbornness, so your child may have a problem chronic anxiety in children, Follow this article with us to know the causes of the problem and how it can be dealt with and remedied.
What is chronic anxiety in children?
It is normal for children to feel anxious and afraid. For example, young children are afraid of the dark, or school-age children worry about making friends. But sometimes normal childhood anxiety turns into a more serious problem called chronic anxiety, or “chronic anxiety.”social anxiety disorderAlso called social phobia, when a child is afraid of even leaving his mother to go to school.
1 in 8 children suffer from anxiety disorders, and the problem of chronic anxiety in children can affect the child’s friendships and life at home and at school, and it can even affect the performance of homework, a task that takes twenty minutes may take an hour from a child with chronic anxiety disorder .
But dear mother and dear father; don’t worry; Social anxiety disorder is a psychological problem that can be treated by learning coping skills, and receiving psychological support that gives the child confidence in himself and helps improve his ability to interact with others and face different life situations.
What are the signs that indicate that a child suffers from anxiety disorders?
There is a wide range of signs and symptoms that indicate that a child is suffering from an anxiety disorder. Such as:
- The child may have difficulty sleeping or complain of stomach pain or other physical problems.
- The child may become withdrawn and avoid going to school or the club, and clings to the parents tightly.
- The child may also have trouble concentrating in class or be very restless and have difficulty studying.
- The child may have severe tantrums when feeling threatened.
- A child with an anxiety disorder describes feeling ashamed, anxious, or afraid.
What if anxiety disorders in children are not treated?
Perhaps you have not yet realized how serious the problem of chronic anxiety in children is, and the importance of treating this problem early. Which makes him isolated, which is a short-term solution that unfortunately reinforces and complicates the problem.
Untreated anxiety also leads to low self-esteem and self-confidence, and the child faces academic difficulties. Unfortunately, it may come to the point that the child takes drugs in the future to escape from what he feels.
Anxiety leads to depression!
People who live with anxiety for long periods since childhood are also more likely to develop depression, as many psychiatrists indicated that most depressed patients had anxiety disorders since childhood.
How can you help your child cope with an anxiety disorder?
Fortunately, anxiety disorders can be treated. It is a problem that responds well to cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatment steps. Getting help makes a big difference. Rest assured, treatment doesn’t have to be lifelong, but the positive effects of treatment and recovery from anxiety will last a lifetime.
There are basic coping steps we recommend for parents whose children show signs of an anxiety disorder or have received a diagnosis of anxiety, including:
- Create daily activities that highlight your child’s strengths and boost his self-confidence.
- Explain to your child the concept of courage and tell him that he can act when he feels fear or anxiety and that this is a natural feeling that he should not stop.
- Parents must reinforce the values of family bonding and give the child a safe space to feel reassured.
- Set aside time to relax and do enjoyable activities like cooking or reading away from electronic devices.
- exercise regularly; 20 minutes of exercise a day can improve a child’s mood and psychological state.
And do not neglect to seek specialized help from a psychiatrist who specializes in cases of chronic anxiety in children, so that the doctor sees if there is a need for the child to receive medication to help treat his condition.
At the end of the article; We would like to remind you, dear father and dear mother, that the mental health of our children is very important in the upbringing journey, and we must take care of it as we care about their physical health, so that our children grow up psychologically together so that they can face life in the right ways.
You may also be interested in learning more about problems your child faces that may be hidden from you through the article “What you do not know about your children”