Anxiety In Young Children

Anxiety In Young Children

Just as young children can experience depression, they can also suffer from anxiety. A child's world rapidly expands, and because everything changes so fast, becoming an anxious child is not uncommon at all. The anxiety does, however, require treatment. The anxiety that children feel, however, is usually easier "defined" or "understood" than that anxiety that adults feel.

For example, a child between the ages of 3 and 6 may fear monsters under the bed. As adults, we know that there are no monsters under the bed, but this is a very real fear for a child of that age. Toddlers often suffer from separation anxiety -- not wanting to be left with anyone other than their parent or parents. This is more than being "choosy." They are experiencing a very real anxiety or fear.

Babies do not necessarily suffer from separation anxiety, but they can start to feel anxiety when they are in the presence of a stranger. Have you ever seen a toddler bury his/her head in the parent's lap when you smiled at them? That is anxiety at play. Older, preteen children are more aware of things going on in the world and start to fear natural disasters, accidents, and even war.

Some anxieties can be outgrown. For example, the baby who feels a bit anxious around strangers may outgrow those feelings as they get a little older. But old fears are often replaced with new fears. The child stops fearing strangers, but starts fearing being without their parent (separation anxiety), and once they get past that anxiety, they may start fearing monsters.

Children need to be reassured that they are safe. You should watch for the signs of anxiety in your child, and if you see those signs, you need to try to determine what your child is anxious about. You may or may not be able to reassure the child and help to dispel their fear.

The signs of anxiety in a child include clinging, being impulsive, nervous movements, trouble sleeping, sweaty or clammy hands, an increased heart rate, breathing faster than usual, feeling nauseous, frequent headaches, and frequent stomach aches.