While anxiety is often associated with teens and young adults, it can affect people of any age. From childhood through older adulthood, anxiety disorders are estimated to impact 31.3% of people at some point in their lives. In other words, one out of every three individuals has or will experience anxiety.
In children, anxiety can present itself in different ways than it would appear in adults. For that reason, it is important to learn about child-specific anxiety, signs and symptoms to look for, and the management and treatment options that are available to you and your family. Read on to delve into these topics with insights from our licensed health care providers at Triumph Behavioral Health.
What Is Anxiety in Children?
It can be challenging to diagnose anxiety in children. Why? Anxiety and fear are normal parts of childhood and are reactions to possible threats. Sometimes, children might experience short-lived anxiety and fear while learning to solve new problems or exploring new situations. However, if anxiety becomes a lasting concern in your child’s life, it might be time to see a behavioral health provider or other healthcare professional to explore your options.
Wondering what anxiety looks like during childhood? Because children have varying levels of communication abilities, it is important to watch for signs of anxiety in addition to asking your children to describe their feelings. Here are a few signs and symptoms of childhood anxiety that you can look out for:
Worrying or crying more than is age-appropriate
Frequently complaining they do not feel with symptoms like a stomachache, sore muscles, or a headache
Waking up frequently from nightmares
Finding it hard to sit still or relax
Growing angry or irritated easily
Finding it difficult to focus
Experiencing appetite changes (either overeating or refusing to eat)
Displaying a visible “shake” (a tremor)
Refusing to go to school
Using the bathroom often
One of these symptoms alone might not indicate anxiety, but be especially alert if you are noticing a combination of these symptoms. If you are concerned that your child is struggling with anxiety, there is no shame in reaching out to a local behavioral health provider. Licensed healthcare professionals can help develop a tailored treatment plan, which may or may not involve medication, for your child.
Common Types of Anxiety in Children
There are several different types of anxiety that are commonly seen in children:
Separation anxiety disorder: Separation anxiety is a normal and important developmental phase that typically peaks when children are between eight and twelve months old. A child might be afraid of strangers and cling to their parents or other caretaking adults. Typically, separation anxiety resolves by the time children enter preschool. If these anxieties continue beyond that point, it may be considered separation anxiety disorder. Children might be worried about their family members, show extreme distress with separation (including for sleep), and remain in this phase for a prolonged period of time. If you are concerned your child might be suffering from separation anxiety disorder, reach out to a healthcare provider.
Specific phobias: A normal amount of fear in children is to be expected – being afraid of things like thunderstorms, spiders, or sharks is not unusual. However, extreme fears that are disproportionate to the actual threat of danger and provoke elevated reactions may be signs of an anxiety disorder.
Social anxiety: Social anxiety disorder is an extreme fear of being rejected or judged by others in social situations. This may manifest as avoiding performing, public speaking, or even interacting with others.
Generalized anxiety disorder: Generalized anxiety refers to excessive fear and worry about a range of things that happen in daily life. What your child is worrying about might change over time, but those who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder are often worried about something.
Panic disorder: Children suffering from panic disorder feel physical symptoms along with extreme fear and anxiety. These physical elements might include an elevated heart rate, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Panic attacks can happen without warning and can last anywhere from a few minutes to hours.
Managing and Treating Childhood Anxiety
Regardless of what type of anxiety your child is struggling with, there are a number of paths forward and options that you can explore to help them live a calmer, less anxious life. The two main ways to treat anxiety in children are medication management and cognitive behavioral therapy. While these treatments may work on their own, they often work even better together.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps children gain a toolbox of coping skills to help them face fears and challenges in their lives. Often, parents can also learn about these coping skills so that they can help their children practice them in real time outside of the safe environment of a therapy session.
Medication management can also assist with treating the symptoms of anxiety in children. Your behavioral health provider might prescribe an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro. These medications have been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety in both children and adults. They are not appropriate for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Does My Child Need Behavioral Health Care?
It is never a bad time to introduce your child to a behavioral health care provider. If you think that anxiety is having an impact on your child’s life or that they could benefit from discovering new coping skills or embarking on a new medication regimen, do not hesitate to reach out.
Behavioral health care providers can help you and your family gain a better understanding of the mental health challenges your child may be dealing with. They can also assist in creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s individual needs and your comfort level with medication and/or talk therapy.
If your child displays signs of suicide or suicidal ideation, get help right away. You can reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. This hotline connects you to a 24/7 national network of local crisis centers for free and confidential emotional support. In an emergency, call 911.
Choose Triumph: Maryland’s Trusted Behavioral Health Providers
If you are looking for a trusted behavioral health care provider in the Maryland area, look no further than our team at Triumph Behavioral Health. We are committed to serving clients of all ages, from children to older adults, and we are here to support you on your journey to living your most fulfilling life. Get in touch with us today to take the first step toward your better tomorrow. At Triumph, we care.