Recognizing Anxiety in Children

• Physical symptoms: rapid breathing, feeling sick, sweating, panic attacks
• Cognitive symptoms: nervousness, feeling overwhelmed, constantly worrying, being on alert
• Behavioral symptoms: withdrawing from friends, changing eating habits, repeating behaviors to deal with anxiety

Common Causes of Anxiety in Children

• Stressful daily routines or events
• Fear of the unknown
• Learning disabilities affecting school performance
• Social pressure from peers
• Bullying or teasing from other children
• General worries about life events
• Fear of illness
• Academic fears
• Social anxiety
• Traumatic experiences

Strategies to Help a Child With Anxiety

• Offer reassurance and support: Let them know they're loved and supported.
• Teach healthy coping strategies: Deep breathing, visualization, positive self-talk, fidget toys, enough sleep, healthy eating, realistic goals, grounding techniques, relaxation techniques.
• Empathize: Understand how they feel, listen, ask questions to encourage expression.
• Encourage positive self-talk: Recognize negative thoughts, replace them with positive ones.
• Don't avoid anxiety triggers: Start small, gradually confront the anxiety source.
• Model positive coping strategies: Be aware of your own behavior.
• Minimize anticipatory anxiety: Reduce the "worry window."
• Seek professional help: Doctor or mental health professional.

Additional Information

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy can effectively treat childhood anxiety.
• Seeking professional help is beneficial for providing additional support and resources.
• With the right help and support, your child can manage their anxiety and live a full life.