Unmasking Childhood Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Action

By Silvia Miller

“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” – Arthur Somers Roche.

This poignant quote captures the essence of anxiety, a condition that affects not just adults, but children too. In fact, a staggering 31.9% of U.S. adolescents aged 13-18 have experienced an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

As a child psychologist, I’ve seen firsthand how anxiety can impact young minds, and I’m here to guide you through the maze of childhood anxiety disorders. The Hidden Face of Childhood Anxiety Anxiety in children often wears a disguise. It’s not always the stereotypical nail-biting or visible nervousness we might expect. Sometimes, it’s the stomachache that appears every Monday morning before school. Or the sudden irritability that seems to come out of nowhere. As parents, it’s crucial to recognize these subtle signs. Physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and muscle tension are common.

But it’s the behavioral changes that often catch parents off guard. Your once-social butterfly might start avoiding playdates. Or your star student might suddenly struggle to concentrate in class.

These could be red flags waving for your attention. The Anxiety Epidemic: A Growing Concern Let’s talk numbers for a moment. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of children aged 3-17 years diagnosed with anxiety increased by a whopping 29%.

That’s not just a statistic – it’s a wake-up call. Anxiety is not just a phase or a character trait. It’s a real, diagnosable condition that requires our attention and action. Diagnosing the Invisible: The Process Unveiled So, how do we diagnose something we can’t see? It’s not as simple as a blood test or an X-ray.

Diagnosing childhood anxiety disorders is a process involving multiple professionals and steps.

1. The First Stop: Your Pediatrician Your child’s primary care provider is often the first line of defense. They can rule out any physical health issues that might be masquerading as anxiety
2. The Deep Dive: Mental Health Specialists If anxiety is suspected, mental health specialists like child psychologists or psychiatrists step in. They use structured interviews and questionnaires to assess your child’s symptoms and their impact on daily life
3. The Toolbox: Diagnostic Instruments Professionals use standardized tools like the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale or the Beck Anxiety Inventory to quantify anxiety levels

These aren’t just fancy questionnaires – they’re crucial in differentiating between types of anxiety disorders. The Bigger Picture: Collaboration is Key Diagnosing anxiety isn’t a solo act. It often involves input from teachers, caregivers, and you, the parents.

This 360-degree view helps paint a complete picture of your child’s behavior across different settings.

1. Types of Anxiety Disorders: Not One Size Fits All Anxiety disorders in children come in various flavors, each with its own set of diagnostic criteria. Here’s a quick rundown:
2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): This is the worry wart of anxiety disorders. Children with GAD experience excessive worry about multiple aspects of their lives for at least six months
3. Separation Anxiety Disorder: This goes beyond the typical “don’t leave me, mom!” phase. It involves persistent and excessive fear of separation from attachment figures
4. Social Anxiety Disorder: More than just shyness, this disorder involves intense fear of social situations and scrutiny by others
5. Specific Phobias: These are intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations, like dogs or thunderstorms
6. Panic Disorder: This involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks that can be terrifying for children

Taking Action for Childhood Anxiety: What Can Parents Do?

Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter. What can you, as a parent, do if you suspect your child has an anxiety disorder?

1. Don’t Dismiss, Validate First things first – validate your child’s feelings. Saying “there’s nothing to worry about” might seem reassuring, but it can make your child feel misunderstood
2. Instead, acknowledge their feelings and offer support. Create a Safe Space Spend quality time with your child. Create opportunities for them to open up about their feelings
3. Sometimes, the best conversations happen during a casual game of catch or while cooking together. Equip Them with Coping Tools Teach your child simple coping strategies like deep breathing or the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique
4. These can be lifesavers during anxious moments. Seek Professional Help If anxiety is significantly impacting your child’s daily life, it’s time to call in the cavalry. Start with your pediatrician and get a referral to a mental health specialist if needed
5. Educate Yourself and Your Child Knowledge is power. Learn about anxiety together. There are great resources out there, like “Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents”
6. Team Up with Teachers Your child’s teachers can be powerful allies. Work with them to create a supportive school environment

Here is Another Perceptive.

Treatment:

Hope on the Horizon The good news? Anxiety disorders are treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for treating childhood anxiety

It helps children identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors. In some cases, medication might be recommended, particularly for moderate to severe anxiety. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have shown effectiveness in improving anxiety symptoms in children

Remember, early intervention is key. The sooner we address anxiety, the better the outcomes. A Final Word Parenting a child with anxiety can feel like navigating a stormy sea. But remember, you’re not alone in this journey. With the right support and tools, your child can learn to manage their anxiety and thrive. As one expert puts it, “You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” – Dan Millman

Let’s help our children take control of their anxiety, one step at a time.