Anxiety disorders in children: 3 tips to help your children

Like adults, children can also suffer from anxiety. Although this is something common, typical of the human being, in some cases anxiety can exceed normal levels.

Anxiety in children can be caused by different factors than in adults, based on different fears or responses that can be given due to different situations. In this article let's delve into childhood anxiety and also offer some advice to parents to help their children.

• Related article: "Types of Anxiety Disorders and their characteristics"

How do I know if my child has anxiety?

To know if your child has anxiety, you have to know how he responds to different situations. This is because anxiety is characterized by a response that aims to protect us from danger. In this case, the human body reacts cognitively, physiologically, and also behaviorally.

A cognitive response is the one that focuses the child's thinking to what causes anxiety. This attention can range from mild concern to outright terror.

The physiological response manifests itself in the body itself as sweating, tremors, increased heart palpitations, muscle tension? a wide variety of situations that you will surely meet.

Finally, the behavioral response is one that makes the child act in a different wayFor example, avoid socializing if you are afraid of being humiliated or do not go out at night if you are afraid of the dark.

When does anxiety become a disorder?

As we have mentioned, having some anxiety is normal. Over time, children learn that the darkness in the room is not bad or that tests can be passed if they are studies, that is, temporary situations to which a child may seem like a world until they really realize that they are not serious problems.

However, it is important to clarify that excessive anxiety in children occurs quite easily, and this is because it can become a disorder for different reasons that must be known. These are some of the most common situations that can cause this anxiety.

1. Separations

For a child, dealing with a separation from parents can be quite distressing. The attachment that one has to the parents from a very young age can cause the child to end up worrying continuously and, to a great extent, for the welfare of their parents.

• You may be interested in: "Child therapy: what is it and what are its benefits"

2. Phobias

A bad experience of a child can end up causing a phobia. To take another example, a child who feels that he has been bitten by a small dog may experience a phobia of animals that, if not treated, can drag on for the rest of his life.

• You may be interested in: "What are phobias? Understanding this type of anxiety disorder "

3. Social problems

Relationships between children they are often complicated. Today it is quite common to deal with the issue of bullying in schools, since it represents serious problems for many children that prevents them from relating correctly in the future.

4. Important changes

In addition to the separation of the parents, other important changes such as a family loss, change of city or experiencing some negative situations at home, can cause such anxiety.

We must not forget that the events that can cause anxiety in a child, in addition to being outside, can be found within one's own family environment.

How can parents help overcome their children's anxiety?

Parents are a fundamental figure when it comes to helping their children overcome these anxiety disorders. In Atlas Psychologists Tres Cantos they recommend this series of tips for parents to not only identify, but also help overcome their children's anxiety.

1. Find professional help

First, the most recommended solution to address the issue of your child's anxiety is to have professional help. As we can see, this anxiety can be due to different factors and not all children react the same to the same stimuli. As it is a complicated issue for them, communication with parents is not always adequate and, precisely for this reason, it is difficult to find solutions without professional help.

Seek the services of a therapist who has the proper training and experience to treat stride. Help from parents is also vital and must always be complemented with professional help that the therapist can offer.

2. Communication is important

Communication must flow between parents and their child. Try to understand what fears you have and what are the reasons why you suffer from such anxiety. This communication is just as important, both with the therapist and with the son.

Communication with the therapist will not only be limited to knowing the condition and evolution of the child, but also to receiving advice for the care of this. On the other hand, communication between parents and child should serve to help you face your fears.

Try to put into practice the advice of the therapist and rationalize as much as possible the problems that he may have. Learning that not all dogs bite or that not all people you can socialize with are bad are some of the most common ways to deal with fears and worries.

3. Don't be in a hurry

Finally, don't be in a hurry. Trying to recover quickly from the problem is likely to lead to even more anxiety for the child.

It is important set small goals and that your child progresses little by little. Make sure he never gets discouraged or gives up, so it is important not only to motivate him, but also to value all the way he has traveled.

These processes are usually complicated, but, over time, the results end up coming. Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet. If you follow the professional's instructions and support your child, over time he will end up leaving behind all those ghosts that haunt him and the anxiety will end up disappearing forever.