| The anxiety of a child should be of the utmost | | | | One of the earliest types of children's anxiety is |
| importance to a parent. Children exposed to | | | | separation anxiety. This is seen in children |
| stressors with which they are unable to cope | | | | between the ages of 18 months to three years. |
| develop, at a very early age, stress related | | | | These children are often seen clinging to their |
| disorders that will remain with them for a lifetime. | | | | mothers and have a great problem sleeping in |
| Childhood stress can be used as a learning tool by | | | | their own rooms. Parents should expect a tussle |
| the nurturing, caring parent. Children who | | | | when the child reaches school going age and |
| experience separation anxiety, and all children | | | | should tackle the problem before that stage |
| experience this stress, are comforted when | | | | arrives. |
| reassured that their feelings are valid and that the | | | | Social anxiety disorders affect children in |
| parent will indeed return and when that will | | | | pre-school and grade school. It is a separation |
| happen. Teaching children critical thinking skills and | | | | anxiety of a sort, where children refuse to go to |
| how to self-comfort in times of anxiety helps | | | | school in fear of the social interactions. Often this |
| them to handle stress as adults in a positive and | | | | children's anxiety is more focused, as when the |
| healthy fashion. Something we see too little of in | | | | child is afraid of recess, the bus or the cafeteria. |
| today's world. Human beings are the only species | | | | Proper evaluation should be done before any |
| on earth that expose their young to stressors | | | | interventions, as often there is a specific teacher |
| with which they are not able to cope. | | | | or class bully which is the root of the anxiety. |
| Different Manifestations of Children's Anxiety | | | | General anxiety disorders involve various aspects |
| Anxiety is a disorder that can take total control | | | | of the child's life. This disorder peaks at the ages |
| over one's life and leave one feeling alone and | | | | of seven to eleven years. It is seen as excessive |
| helpless. When this disorder affects children, the | | | | worrying about some thing which may seem |
| situation become worse as the child is not able to | | | | trivial to others. Children are often pre-occupied |
| distinguish fears which can be overcome. | | | | with their looks, sports, punctuality, cleanliness etc. |
| Children's anxiety symptoms are typical of any | | | | Specific phobias may affect children of all age. |
| anxiety syndrome. They feel their heart is racing | | | | Almost all children are afraid of something or the |
| and their head is spinning. Often children have | | | | other when they are young, but any phobia which |
| stomach aches and a lump in their throat. Children | | | | lasts for more than six months and affects the |
| react to these symptoms in different ways. The | | | | child's daily routine should be given utmost |
| younger they are, the more difficult it is to | | | | importance. |
| express their feelings and all they can do is cry. | | | | Medications should be the last resort for tackling |
| As they grow older, they throw tantrums, make | | | | children's anxiety. With proper counseling and |
| excuses to avoid the stressor and often go into | | | | cooperation at home and school, these little ones |
| the stage of silent mutism. | | | | can overcome this condition and can live the |
| Look Closely at Children's Anxiety | | | | happy and carefree life, they are entitled to. |