| Anxiety disorders are extremely problematic | | | | |
| especially for doting parents who do not wish | | | | |
| their children to have any emotional or | | | | You should do your best to encourage your |
| physical disorders. However, in the | | | | child to take part in activities |
| unfortunate event where a child suffers from | | | | independently, and avoid overreacting to |
| anxiety disorders, what do we do? | | | | their physical symptoms as it emphasizes to |
| | | | them that they are "abnormal". Where you are |
| Approximately 5 to 20% of all children suffer | | | | aware that your child may face new or |
| from at least one form of anxiety disorder. | | | | challenging situations, describe the |
| This refers to an overwhelming sense of fear | | | | situation to them in detail and if possible |
| or worry that is out of proportion to the | | | | conduct visualization and role playing |
| individual's situation, and often causes an | | | | exercises to help familiarize your child and |
| adverse effect on that person's life. | | | | allay fears. |
| Children are just as susceptible, if not more | | | | |
| so, than adults in being diagnosed with | | | | |
| anxiety disorder. Out of the many types of | | | | |
| anxiety disorder, children are most likely to | | | | If you are in a single child family, let your |
| suffer from the following five: separation | | | | child pick out a special soft toy companion |
| anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety | | | | so that they can build confidence without |
| disorder, social phobia, panic disorder and | | | | having to worry about being alone. Establish |
| specific phobia. | | | | clear household rules and routines, and guide |
| | | | your child firmly with just punishments and |
| | | | rewards. This will help them establish a |
| | | | sense of security, and they will know what to |
| Although there is insufficient research on | | | | expect. |
| medical treatments for children anxiety | | | | |
| disorders, current research suggests that | | | | |
| psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological | | | | |
| treatments play a role. Psychopharmacological | | | | Whilst it may be tempting to hide the nature |
| treatments involve the use of | | | | of anxiety disorders from your child, it pays |
| antidepressants, although it has many severe | | | | to inform your child about their conditions. |
| and harmful side effects. Medication is | | | | Do not keep them out of the loop regarding |
| usually recommended in conjunction with | | | | big decisions or events happening in the |
| therapy, or psychosocial treatments. | | | | family, such as a new job, or a house moving. |
| | | | Always make an effort to be honest and |
| | | | objective about any obstacles or questions |
| | | | that your child has for you, as avoiding the |
| It is important to be able to identify if | | | | topic or skirting the issue will only cause |
| your child is suffering from anxiety | | | | your child's fear to increase. |
| disorders, and how to go about dealing with | | | | |
| it in order to help your child. If left | | | | |
| undiagnosed and untreated, it is highly | | | | |
| likely to develop into other anxiety | | | | Sometimes, it can be difficult to help your |
| disorders in adulthood, and these children | | | | child learn to deal with the root of the |
| face the same risks as those suffering from | | | | problem causing them anxiety as they are |
| depression. If your child has been diagnosed | | | | reluctant or afraid of speaking about it. |
| with anxiety disorders, as a parent you have | | | | Help your child overcome this by proposing |
| a huge role to play in supporting your child | | | | alternative means of communications, such as |
| emotionally, as well as in providing | | | | through a picture, or writing a short story. |
| necessary guidance. | | | | You should also be alert to any hints of fear |
| | | | that your child shows, as it may be an |
| | | | indication of what the true cause of the |
| | | | problem is. A fear of the dark could in |
| It is normal for children to experience fears | | | | actuality be a fear of being abandoned or |
| as they face life and grow up, but some | | | | left alone due to some event occurring |
| children may face greater difficulties coping | | | | previously. |
| with their fears. If you child constantly | | | | |
| feels worried or frightened beyond what the | | | | |
| situation would indicate, or displays | | | | |
| physical symptoms of headaches and muscle | | | | Helping your child deal with his anxiety |
| tension, you should look closer into the | | | | disorder can be a challenging process, but do |
| issue and not dismiss it out of hand. This | | | | not feel alone as many families are facing |
| could be the critical first step in | | | | the same problem. If you suspect your child |
| identifying that your child has a problem, | | | | could be suffering from anxiety disorder, |
| and then to go on seeking adequate help and | | | | take steps to find out more about it and seek |
| support for your child to cope. | | | | professional help for your child. |
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