| An anxiety disorder child can be more difficult to | | | | type of phobia makes children very scared of |
| treat or help, since children can experience stress | | | | being in crowds and meeting new people because |
| more intensely than adults. They are also more | | | | they think they might embarrass themselves or |
| sensitive and sometimes, even more susceptible | | | | be ridiculed. |
| to anxiety attacks. For adults, things like utility bills, | | | | Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This disorder |
| getting fired from work or a divorce can cause a | | | | is characterized by excessive worrying and even |
| panic attack. For children, the causes of these | | | | paranoia. Children with Generalized Anxiety |
| attacks may range from worrying about exams | | | | Disorder get tense and anxious even with little |
| to meeting new people or even being accepted | | | | provocation. They might feel nauseated at the |
| by their peers. | | | | thought of an exam that is scheduled months |
| While most kids can overcome challenges in | | | | away. Or they might feel severe anxiety just |
| school and at home, there are others who find it | | | | thinking about a first date or a poor grade in a |
| difficult to face such things. If their anxiety or | | | | subject. Sometimes, a child may even stay |
| stress is not managed or treated properly, it can | | | | awake at night just worrying about what to wear |
| lead to more serious disorders or phobias and can | | | | to a school event. |
| turn a kid into an anxiety disorder child. The best | | | | Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD, as |
| way to prevent this from happening is to | | | | its name implies, is caused by serious or traumatic |
| understand the different causes of child anxiety | | | | events in a child's life. Physical abuse, a bad car |
| and to have disorders diagnosed right away. | | | | accident, the divorce of their parents may all |
| Below are some of the most common signs that | | | | trigger panic attacks in a child. Children might feel |
| can help in the diagnosis of anxiety disorders in | | | | the symptoms of these attacks in situations |
| children. | | | | where they are reminded of that particular |
| Separation anxiety. This happens when a child | | | | traumatic event. |
| starts to feel all the symptoms of an anxiety | | | | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Many |
| attack when he is separated from his parents or | | | | people think that this type of disorder only |
| guardian. This is normal for children if they are left | | | | happens to adults. But children can also develop |
| alone for the first time in school. Some kids | | | | OCD, which is characterized by repeated actions |
| overcome the fear of being alone and adjust to | | | | that are caused by worrying or fears. Children |
| school and other people. There are others, | | | | with OCD, for example, might like arranging their |
| though, that continue to experience attacks each | | | | blocks repeatedly by color and number or they |
| time they are left alone. If this occurs frequently | | | | might insist on washing their hands 10 times a day |
| with no sign of the symptoms abating, the child | | | | because they are scared of bacteria. Children with |
| might be experiencing separation anxiety. A lot of | | | | OCD do these tasks because they strongly |
| things can cause separation anxiety, such as the | | | | believe that they can prevent bad things. |
| divorce of parents or even a disruption in the | | | | Children seem to be so carefree and innocent but |
| normal routine of the child. | | | | that does not mean that they can't experience |
| Social phobia. Most children are shy or scared of | | | | stress too. Schoolwork, the pressure to belong |
| speaking in front of a crowd or performing in | | | | and other stresses can cause children to |
| front of an audience for the first time. But once | | | | experience anxiety attacks. Make sure that you |
| they do these activities, regularly, they start to | | | | help your child manage these different pressures |
| become more comfortable with them. Some kids, | | | | so that he or she does not become an anxiety |
| however, still experience severe anxiety or even | | | | disorder child. Give your children respect, love and |
| the symptoms of a panic attack constantly when | | | | care to help them cope with the different |
| meeting new people or speaking in public. If this | | | | challenges the world offers. |
| happens, the child might have social phobia. This | | | | |