Anxiety, a term we hear more and more nowadays, is a natural response of the body to stress or situations perceived as threatening, characterized by feelings of fear, anxiety or worry. It is when it becomes persistent or disproportionate, interfering with daily life and requiring treatment. Childhood anxiety does not vary much from this and in this post we will tell you what it is exactly, the different types of anxiety disorders, their causes, and we offer you practical strategies to calm it and avoid common mistakes in its management.

What is childhood anxiety?

Childhood anxiety is a natural and adaptive emotional response to dangerous or stressful situations. All children, at some point in their lives, experience fear or worry when faced with new challenges or unknown events, such as starting school, making friends, or facing major changes in their environment. However, when these feelings become excessive, persistent, and out of proportion to the situation, they interfere with their lives, indicating the presence of an anxiety disorder.

Children with anxiety not only feel worried about isolated events, but tend to anticipate the worst in a variety of situations.

Types of childhood anxiety

Due to its multiple possible causes and the complexity of child psychology, there is not just one type of childhood anxiety, but rather the following types:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD

Children with GAD experience excessive worry about various aspects of their daily lives, from their school performance to the health of their loved ones, often over very minor issues. This worry is persistent and difficult to control, even in normal or non-threatening situations.

Separation anxiety

This disorder is common in younger children and manifests as an intense fear of being separated from their parents or caregivers. Children often fear that something bad will happen to them or their loved ones while they are separated, leading to crying spells, resistance to going to school, or even physical symptoms such as stomachaches.

Panic disorder

Although less common in young children, some experience recurrent panic attacks, which are brief episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, sweating, or palpitations. Most of these episodes occur unexpectedly.

Social anxiety disorder

Children with this disorder have an overwhelming fear of being watched or judged by others in social situations, such as speaking in class or interacting with peers. This leads them to avoid social and school activities.

Causes of childhood anxiety

Childhood anxiety almost always has multiple causes, many times these are not even entirely clear, but it is generally a combination of genetic, biological and environmental factors:

Genetic predisposition

Children with close relatives who suffer from anxiety disorders will be more likely to develop anxiety, because there is a hereditary predisposition that suggests that genes play an important role in the onset of anxiety.

Environmental and family factors

A stressful home environment, characterized by conflict, violence or abuse, increases the risk of anxiety in children. Anxiety can also arise if parents or caregivers are overly protective or anxious, because they are transmitting their own fears and worries to the child.

Stressful events in the child's life

The loss of a loved one, a parent's divorce, moving to a new city or starting a new school can all trigger anxiety. Any of these situations are very significant changes that create uncertainty and tend to be difficult for children to handle.

Traumatic experiences

Physical, emotional or sexual abuse, as well as exposure to traumatic events such as accidents or natural disasters, can generate a continuous state of alert and fear in children, contributing to the development of anxiety disorders.

Chemical imbalances in the brain

The brain of a child with anxiety often has an imbalance in neurotransmitters such as serotonin or cortisol, which influence mood and stress response.

How does childhood anxiety manifest? Symptoms

Due to its complexity, childhood anxiety manifests itself in various ways, both emotionally and physically. The most frequent symptoms are:

• Persistent concerns:Showing constant and excessive worry about a variety of issues, from academic performance to the safety of loved ones.
• Physical symptoms:Discomforts such as headaches, stomach pain, muscle tension, excessive sweating, chest pain and difficulty breathing frequently appear.
• Trouble sleeping:Difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, or experiencing nightmares.
• Changes in behavior:Presenting irritability, agitation, or changes in appetite, such as overeating or having little hunger.
• Difficulties in academic and social performance:Disturbance in a child's ability to concentrate in school, avoidance of tasks, disinterest, or difficulty making and keeping friends.
• Panic attacks:In some cases, children may experience panic attacks, accompanied by intense physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating and shortness of breath.

How to identify anxiety in a child?

Identifying anxiety seems more difficult than it actually is, it just takes paying close attention to your child and, of course, consulting a health professional for a diagnosis. Key signs to look out for to know if your child is possibly experiencing difficulties with anxiety include:

• Changes in behavior:For example, becoming more withdrawn, avoidant, or showing irritability and anger without an apparent cause.
• Common physical complaints:Presence of physical symptoms such as chest, head or stomach pain, nervousness, repetitive movements, discomfort without apparent cause.
• Evasion of situations:Avoiding situations such as attending social events, going to school or doing certain tasks, even going out to play.
• Trouble sleeping:Sleep-related problems, such as insomnia, nightmares, or waking up frequently during the night.
• Observations at school:Changes in the child's academic performance or participation in class.

What is the CAS Childhood Anxiety Questionnaire?

The Children's Anxiety Questionnaire or CAS is an assessment tool designed to measure anxiety levels in children. This questionnaire is intended to help mental health professionals diagnose anxiety disorders and develop treatment plans that are both appropriate and effective. In addition, it provides a standardized assessment that can be used to track symptoms over time and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

The questionnaire typically includes a series of questions addressing issues such as general concerns, specific fears, and physical symptoms. Responses are rated on a scale that reflects the frequency and intensity of symptoms experienced by the child. The CAS can be used by mental health professionals, educators, or even parents, depending on the context.

How to calm a child's anxiety?

The truth is that there is no magic formula or universal process to calm a child's anxiety, mainly because every child is different and each one experiences anxiety differently. However, calming a child's anxiety always requires a combination of emotional support, relaxation techniques and practical strategies, which is why we tell you what is usually recommended:

Offer emotional support

Actively listen to your child and validate their feelings. Make sure they feel understood and supported by using phrases like “I understand that this makes you feel nervous” to show empathy.

Establish a routine

A structured routine provides security and predictability, which is comforting. It includes regular activities such as meal times, study time, and relaxation time. Teach your child to tell time with a educator clock and help him understand that he has the ability to decide to a certain extent, so that he calms down and feels in control.

Teach him relaxation techniques

Simple techniques such as deep breathing, guided meditation or relaxation exercises can always help your child calm down. Look for techniques that are adapted to their age, remembering that children and adults do not function in the same way.

Involve him in physical activities

Regular exercise helps a lot in reducing anxiety levels. Activities such as walking, running, swimming, martial arts or practicing sports in general release endorphins and improve mood.

Helps challenge anxious thoughts

Encourage your child to identify and challenge negative or irrational thoughts. Work with your child to replace these thoughts with more realistic and positive beliefs.

Provides opportunities for play and fun

Playing is a great way to reduce stress and encourage relaxation, so make sure your child has time for recreational activities and fun times.

Consult a professional

If your child's anxiety is severe or persistent, seeking help from a mental health professional who specializes in children is necessary. Therapists can provide additional strategies and support in managing anxiety.

What should you avoid doing if a child has anxiety?

Just as you need to be clear about what to do to help a child with problems managing anxiety, you need to know what not to do, and we'll tell you how:

• Don't minimize their feelings:Avoid saying things like “There’s nothing to worry about” or “Stop exaggerating.” These comments make the child feel misunderstood and increase his anxiety.
• Don't punish anxiety:You should not punish or reprimand your child for his anxiety. Anxiety is not a behavior that can be controlled at will, and punishment will only make it worse.
• Avoid overprotection:While it is natural to want to protect your child, overprotection will only reinforce anxiety.
• Don't completely avoid feared situations:While it's important to support your child in reducing anxiety, avoiding situations that cause fear altogether will also make them worse.
• Don't ignore physical symptoms:Never underestimate the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as stomach aches or headaches.
• Don't rush recovery:Anxiety in children takes time to manage. Avoid rushing the process or expecting immediate results.
• Don't make unrealistic promises:Instead of promising specific results, focus on offering support and practical tools.

Conclusion

In summary, while childhood anxiety is a difficult experience, with proper intervention and understanding, children can learn to live with it effectively, developing skills that will serve them throughout their lives. By providing consistent support and seeking professional help when necessary, we can significantly contribute to the emotional well-being and healthy growth of our children.