Everyone of us may experience anxiety, that is an emotional state, at some point or the other during our life. This is quite normal because it is very much related to fear that we all experience. The emotion of fear is absolutely normal and can be considered essential also because we may face certain situations during which we should necessarily fear so as to have protection from potential dangers. But, we all assume that the emotion of fear is quite uncommon in children and therefore, children with anxiety are also not very common.
But, the fact is that children also experience different states or types of fear as well as anxiety. This starts even from the time of their birth. Though it is difficult to identify anxiety in children, we can presume that a child has anxiety when he or she cries or exhibits clinging behaviors.
What May Be The Anxiety Sources For Children?
When children grow normally, they may experience the emotion of fear for which certain developmental sources such as darkness, monsters, animals, strangers, fear of separating from parents, etc. may be responsible. These fears get transformed into getting anxiety about social acceptance, fearing about academic achievements and success in sports, anxiety about the family, fear about ill-health and death and so on. Transitions in their life and drastic changes in the family may also cause fear and anxiety in children.
To quote a few examples, when a sibling is born, when the child is admitted to school or when the family moves to a new place or home, the child may experience anxiety. During school life, factors like acceptance by peer groups and the fear of doing well in studies may also trigger anxiety.
Is It Possible To Spot Children Struggling With Fear And Anxiety
Some of the major symptoms to identify children with anxiety are that they will be generally pessimistic and may always think negatively by imagining that worst things will happen. They may be more rigid and inflexible than other normal children.
Those children who have been excessively affected may be aggressive, angry, restless, defiant and irritable. They may throw tantrums or may constantly be worrying or crying. They may complain of physical problems like stomachaches, fatigue, headaches, fatigue, etc.
Treating Children With This Problem
Parents should be supportive and should be the pillars of strength for children with anxiety. They should help them by establishing consistent and regular routines because this step may help children shed their anxiety. By establishing a regular routine, parents can help their children in having good rest and sleep.
Parents should help them by devising a good exercises regimen. Appropriate physical activities will relax the minds of the children.
Parents should keep comforting their children by using strategies like like talking soothing words, rocking, touching, giving massages, singing, narrating stories, etc. Parents should be role models for children by exhibiting brave behavior.
Parents should teach relaxation techniques to children. They should be taught that whenever they feel anxious, they should try these techniques to get relief. Some of the techniques are deep breathing, yoga, imagination, relaxing of muscles, etc. Parents should find out the activities that relax the minds of these children and encourage them to indulge in those activities.
The main point is that there are no instant solutions for treating children with anxiety. Parents should put forth consistent and patient efforts and they are certain to succeed in their aim of relieving their children with anxiety.