Is Your Child’s Anxiety Just a Phase?

Nearly all children have anxiety at some point in their lives. But when does a little anxiety become an anxiety disorder? When does it shift from a temporary phase of worry or fear to something more serious and chronic? Answering this question is very important for the well-being of your child.

First some facts:

• Anxiety disorders affect 13 out of every 100 kids ages 9 to 17.

• About half of all children diagnosed with one anxiety disorder also have a second anxiety disorder or another type of mental health disorder.

• Anxiety affects girls more than boys.

• If anxiety is not detected and treated early enough, it can lead to further problems.

Anxiety is defined as an extended, extensive and intense period of worry or fear that is out of touch with reality. Because kids tend to internalize their anxiety it is not always easy to detect. So it’s important that you take the time to answer the following questions.

How Long?

The first question you have to answer is how long has the anxiety been occurring. Has it persisted for at least 6 months? If your child’s worry or fear doesn’t seem to be going away it may be the sign of a more serious condition.

How Much?

How much does worry or fear affect your child? Does it cause your child significant distress? Does your child exhibit any of the following symptoms or behaviors when confronted with the subject of his worry or fear:

• Sweating

• trembling or shaking

• palpitations or racing heart rate

• feeling dizzy or unsteady

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• fear of losing control

• Stomachaches, headaches or other physical pains

• Irritable behavior

Does it interfere?

Is your child’s anxiety affecting his school life, home life and time spent with friends? Is your child having trouble concentrating, unable to relax, acting clingy or avoiding things that make him worried or afraid? A child with an anxiety disorder can no longer go about his normal day without his anxiety interfering.

Is nothing working?

You’ve tried everything and nothing is working. If reassurance or comfort is not enough to help a child get past her worry or fear, she may have an anxiety disorder.

If you closely examined all these questions and believe that your child does indeed have an anxiety disorder, the good news is anxiety is treatable. Many forms of treatment have been proven to be effective, including cognitive behavioral therapy and anti-anxiety medication.

Regardless of which treatment you decide to pursue, it is important that you take action. According to the ADAA, if anxiety goes untreated, children are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse.

Chris Nicoletti is a writer for GoZen.com, a site dedicated to the relief of childhood anxiety.