How To Tell If Your Kid Actually Has Anxiety (Or Is Just Stressed)
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Everybody gets stressed, including kids. It could be an upcoming test, things being rocky at home, or even the monster under the bed. Children are repeatedly under pressure to perform well in their exams and sports. It is also said that this pressure can work in their favor and help them excel in their competitive fields. But sometimes you may notice that your kid feels stressed all the time even after the dreaded test or the scary movie. Parents usually have a hard time figuring out if their child has anxiety, or is just stressed. Here are some questions to consider if your kid is going through something similar.
1. Does Your Child Feel Stressed For Days On End?
If your kid always seems to be stressed even in a calm environment or doesn’t have a reason for feeling that way, he/she might be having anxiety (1).
2. Does He/She Have Trouble Getting To Sleep?
Don’t worry if you are not aware of your child’s sleeping pattern. You can simply ask if he/she has trouble sleeping. And if your kid seems to be tired and weak all the time, it might be because of not getting enough sleep (2).
3. Does Your Child Find It Hard To Concentrate?
If your child loses focus easily, whether it be studies or something else, then he/she might not be just daydreaming (3).
4. Is Your Child Easily Irritated Or Upset?
Check for signs such as restlessness, getting easily irritated or angry (4).
Most kids get over a bad incident in their lives in a few days, but if it’s lasting longer than expected, your child may be dealing with childhood anxiety. It is a persistent disorder which can disrupt their day to day life.
Here are some common anxiety disorders in children:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder worry excessively about everything. They constantly worry about every aspect of their life from school, their health, the health of their loved ones, the list can go on and on (5). They are always worried about their future.
2. Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation Anxiety Disorder occurs when a child worries for his life and has a constant fear that something horrible is going to happen to any of the family members or him/her (6). Such children may complain of getting headaches or stomachaches when away from home. They may resort to temper tantrums or pleading. Children who have faced a traumatic incident like the loss of a loved one or a pet are prone to separation anxiety disorder.
3. Social Phobia
Children with social phobia may refuse to go to school or interact with others. There’s a difference between children who are shy and who have social phobia. They are worried about embarrassing themselves when interacting with others, and try and avoid any social aspects of their life (7).
4. Panic Disorder
Children with panic disorder will experience symptoms such as intense fearfulness, dizziness, feeling short of breath, and a racing heartbeat (8). If not treated, it can interfere with every aspect of a child’s life from relationships, schoolwork, to their normal development. If your child suffers from frequent panic attacks, get him/her diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
If your child is suffering from any of these symptoms or anxiety disorders, don’t just brush it off as a phase that your child is going through. Be encouraging and supportive, try to understand what your child is going through with patience, don’t reinforce his/her fears, and respect his/her feelings. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment in time is important. Otherwise, it can further aggravate the problem and can distress your child’s daily life and mental health.
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