Anxiety is a modern affliction that affects many people. It is already considered as a serious health issue that happen in any country. Around 25 percent of adults are affected by symptoms of anxiety. These symptoms are also quite common among children. In reality, anxiety is easily treated, depending on the situation and overall severity. People who have anxiety disorders usually feel uneasiness, worry and intense gear. If not treated properly, anxiety can cause various problems. Children who have anxiety symptoms could suffer from:
- Inability to achieve or maintain good grades
- Impaired relationships with peers
- Poor self esteem
- Abuse of drugs and alcohol
It is important for parents to know what the possible causes of anxiety among children are. Anxiety can be defined as unrealistic worry about daily lives. This can be severe enough to affect school and physical performance. Young people are often quite tense and self conscious about themselves. They often don’t have anyone who can give reassurance. Here are types of anxiety that may affect children:
- Separation anxiety disorder: Children who have this kind of mental disorder find it difficult to leave their parents. They tend to cling to their parents and when they are far from their parent, sleeping problems may happen. Separation anxiety disorder could be accompanied by fear, withdrawal, sadness and overall depression. This type of disorder is more common among younger children and considered as a normal process in the development of pre-school children.
- Phobias: Phobias are excessive and unrealistic fears about specific objects, although they are generally harmless. It is acceptable to have phobia of snakes, but it’s unreasonable to be paralyzed by the appearance of cats. Other than animals, phobias could also be caused by natural elements and specific situations, such as enclosed space. Although a child doesn’t seem to have apparent phobia, it is possible that they have social phobia. Many children are very scared of being judged harshly and criticized. They will try hard to avoid anything that they fear. Phobias can potentially restrict lives and impair quality of life.
- Panic disorder: Children and teenagers could be affected by repeated panic attacks. It’s a period of panic attacks, which are indicated by feeling of imminent death, nausea, dizziness, sweating and pounding heartbeat. The experience can be so dreadful, that children are fearful of the panic attack itself. This could become a vicious cycle that make the situation even more difficult for children.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder: Also known as OCD, it is a mental situation that causes people to get trapped in repetitive behaviors and thoughts. This pattern can be really hard to stop, although these behaviors and thoughts appear distressing and senseless. Compulsive behaviors could cause children to repeat specific activities, such as counting, hand washing, cleaning up the room and others. About two percent of teenagers are affected by OCD.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Children and adolescents can be affected by PTSD as well. It’s not something that affects only war veterans. Natural disaster, abuse and violence can cause PTSD among ordinary people.