Approximately 20 percent of children suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point during their young years. Anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, are very difficult for adults to recognize, understand, and treat in themselves. When a child has an anxiety disorder, it's even harder for an adult to recognize it because many of the symptoms can be considered normal in some situations. However, being fearful or anxious all the time is not normal. It's a sign that your child needs medical attention and/or counseling. Following are some symptoms to watch out for.
Symptoms of Childhood Anxiety
Most children exhibit the following symptoms sometimes when dealing with new or scary situations. However, children who have an anxiety disorder have the following symptoms regularly and will also display them during situations that should be familiar or enjoyable to them.
- Excessive Crying
- Temper Tantrums
- Clinging
- Shyness
- Worry
- Stomachaches
- Headaches
- Fear
If your child exhibits any of these behaviors on a regular basis or if they seem to get sick when it's time to go somewhere, they may have anxiety.
Symptoms of a Panic Attack
A small percentage of children with an anxiety disorder have panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden physical events that can leave your child shaking and terrified. Generally, panic attack symptoms only last about 10 minutes. However, they are extremely terrifying. Symptoms include:
- Racing Heart
- Chest Pain
- Choking Sensations
- Shortness of Breath
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Dizziness
- Body Numbness
- Extreme Fear
A person having a panic attack often feels as if they're dying or that something terrible is going to happen. They may also have difficulty concentrating or following commands. In extreme cases, they may hyperventilate and pass out.
Symptoms that Require Counseling
Anxiety disorders are usually treated through a combination of medicine and therapy. Some parents decide that medication is enough, however, and depend on their doctor to treat the condition. If your child is being treated and has the following symptoms, they need to see a counselor.
- Multiple Panic Attacks
- Sleep Disturbances
- Thoughts of Self-Harm
- Depression
- Withdrawal from Life
- Poor School Performance
If you think that your child has developed an anxiety disorder because of emotional or physical trauma, they absolutely need to see a counselor.
The symptoms of an anxiety disorder are scary for you and for your child. Make sure you're getting all the help you can to deal with this terrifying illness. Contact a business, such as Giblin Consulting, for more information.
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