‘Anxiety On Children, Attention Needed’ Children’s Anxiety May Have Been Underestimated

Anxiety, a form of stress as physicians define seems to be a normal part of life. But attention may be needed to some form of anxiety on children.

Anxiety, in general, is the body's natural alarm system signalling the presence of a potential danger. The sensation naturally takes place even before the brain analyzes the reality of the threat. Once the brain is secured that there is no presence of a threat, the sensations such as rapid heartbeat, shaking and dizziness will disappear.

Children's anxiety, on the other hand, can be identified in different categories. Knowing each category signs can give proper information on how to deal with the child's problem accurately.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety that is a result of a past experience usually manifesting through nightmares, flashbacks and child's refusal to go back to the place of the event.

Phobias are anxiety in the form excessive fear over things or experience that is not actually dangerous. Social phobia or social anxiety, the fear of speaking in front of others is an example of this.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may not be that common to children but there are a few reported cases of children having such kind of disorder wherein their thoughts are always pre occupied by a specific subject.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), a disorder similar to pantophobia means the fear of almost everything. In this case, a child may always imagine the worst possible scenario, Kids Health reported.

Parents can help their child overcome anxiety by being calm when the child is in panic or fear. Appreciating even the smallest achievement they have may help them feel that life is not as fearful as what they think.

Anxious children will often refuse to share what causes their worry. Listening to their ideas and insight can be an entrance door for them to eventually share their fears.

With the presence of any children anxiety symptoms, it is always best to seek advice from the experts. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America made their resources available to make it easier for parents and guardians to deal with children anxiety, Web MD reported.