It can be hard for children to know whether or not they have anxiety as everyone experiences nervousness once in a while. Adults are able to notice the physical changes our body is going through during anxious episodes whereas kids may need guidance. By knowing if your child is experiencing anxiety, you will know to send your child for help to get the right course of treatment.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Child Anxiety?
Children may be aware that there is something unusual happening with them, but think it could just be a tummyache or are feeling tired. They may want to avoid going to certain places or are angrier than usual. Your child may be feeling overwhelmed, withdrawn, or having trouble breathing steadily. It can be easy to confuse those behaviors as attention-seeking, but we need to remember that your children are trying to communicate with you but cannot find the right words to describe what is happening to them.
How Should You Talk To Your Child About Anxiety?
Communicate with your child. You might let them know what you have noticed and ask them why they think that behavior came about. This allows you to talk about the issue in a nonthreatening way. You can also ask your child how they are feeling at the moment. It all depends on how open they are to express their feelings. Let your child know that you are aware it is hard for them and that you want to help in any way you can.
How Can Children Seek Support For Anxiety?
Once you know your child has anxiety, it is important to take action. Try to come up with a solution with your children together like different ways to address the problem and move forward. You should also have your child make lifestyle changes that may lead to those negative feelings like diet changes, exercise times, and the amount of screen time. Spending time outdoors can also be useful to them as children are normally in awe with nature and respond to it well. If your child’s anxiety continues after a few months of trying these options and the symptoms are interfering, look into speaking with a child psychologist. Most children will respond well to treatment if their parents are with them every step of the way.
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