Anxiety is one of the most common issues people deal with. Whether children or adults, we all go through periods in our life where we struggle to deal with the pressure put on us.
Anxiety in children is an issue that cannot be overlooked, as the effects can last their entire life. Luckily, it is easier to spot the signs of anxiety in children than one may think.
So, look at the information below to see if your child is showing signs of anxiety and what you can do about it.
1. Excessive Worry
Children with anxiety often feel worried all the time, and their worries go beyond what most kids worry about. Their fears can be about many things, like how well they do in school, how they get along with other people, how their families work, how healthy they are, or how safe they feel. This can cause them to think about nothing but “what if” questions and terrible things that could happen.
The amount and frequency of their fears can be so much that it’s hard for them to do daily things or enjoy the things they usually like. They may feel more responsible and worry about the effects of what they see as failure.
2. Physical Symptoms
Children with anxiety can show various physical signs, affecting their general health. Children with worry often say they have headaches, stomachaches, or just feel bad all the time. Most of the time, these physical symptoms don’t have a clear medical cause, and medical tests may not find anything solid.
How worry shows up in a child’s body can differ for each child. Some children may also feel dizzy, tired, tense, or have a fast heartbeat or shortness of breath. These physical signs can make the child feel even more anxious because they might worry about their health or think something is very wrong with them.
3. Avoidance Behaviors
Children with anxiety often avoid things to deal with their feelings of worry and pain. They may try to avoid situations or activities that make them anxious because these things can make them feel scared, panicked, or upset.
For example, a child with social anxiety might not want to go to parties, join in group activities, or talk in front of the class. Kids with separation anxiety might not want to go to school or sleep alone because they always want to be close to their parents.
Avoidance behaviors can help a child feel less anxious temporarily because they give the child a way to escape or lessen the perceived danger. But these behaviors also strengthen the fear response and keep it going, making it harder for the child to face and get rid of their worry over time. If a kid avoids things they are afraid of, it can limit their chances for growth, development, and social interaction, making them feel even more alone and anxious.
4. Sleep Problems
Anxiety can significantly disrupt a child’s sleep patterns and quality of rest. Children with anxiety may experience difficulty falling asleep as their minds become preoccupied with worries, fears, or intrusive thoughts during bedtime. They may lie awake for extended periods, finding it challenging to quiet their racing thoughts.
Additionally, anxiety-related sleep disturbances can manifest as frequent nightmares that are vivid, distressing, and disruptive to their sleep. The content of these nightmares may often reflect their underlying fears and worries.
The difficulty falling asleep and nightmares can lead to restless nights, with children waking up multiple times or experiencing trouble staying asleep. As a result, they may wake up tired, irritable, and lacking energy, which can affect their overall mood, cognitive function, and ability to concentrate during the day.
5. Changes in Behavior
As a child deals with their own problems, anxiety can cause obvious changes in how they act. They may become more restless, more easily upset, or more likely to lose their temper or cry.
The constant worry and fear can put them on edge, making them more sensitive to threats or comments that they think are coming their way. Children with worry may have trouble focusing and paying attention, making it hard to stay on task or finish their homework. They may become more careful or hesitant and start questioning themselves and second-guessing themselves more.
Some children may also avoid social interactions because they would rather be alone than face situations that make them anxious. They might keep to themselves to avoid being judged or turned down, and their silence might be mistaken for shyness or lack of interest. On the other hand, some people may try to get too much reassurance and may cling to their caretakers for support and comfort, looking for constant approval and direction to help them feel better.
6. Physical Restlessness
Children with worry are often physically restless or fidgety because of how they feel inside. They may have trouble sitting still for long times and are always looking for ways to eliminate their nervous energy. They may move their hands or feet, wiggle in their seats, or do repeated actions like pacing, rocking, tapping, or tapping their fingers.
These physical ways of being restless help the child get rid of the extra energy and stress that builds up inside them. They give them brief relief from their pain and take their minds off their stress and anxiety for a short time. But these actions can also be distracting and make it hard for the child to concentrate or do things that require attention.
Notice persistent physical restlessness in your child that is interfering with their daily life. It may be beneficial to get a free consultation now with a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support tailored to your child’s specific needs. Remember, early intervention and professional guidance can make a significant difference in helping children manage their anxiety and thrive.
Tackling Anxiety in Children
Anxiety in children can manifest in many different ways. Parents should be aware of the signs of anxiety disorders in their child, such as physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive changes.
Early recognition and anxiety treatment can help reduce the negative effects of anxiety in children. If you’re concerned that your child may struggle with anxiety, please seek professional help.
We hope this article was useful to you. If you enjoyed it, be sure to check out our blog for more great articles.
