Worry to Wellness: Childhood Anxiety and How to Handle It

Childhood fears are something all parents want their children to overcome. After all, it is natural to want to protect your child from things that frighten them. But sometimes, this well-intentioned instinct of ours can make things a lot worse!

When we talk about anxiety and childhood, one of the most effective armours for your child would be to teach them how to face their fears. Over time, children will learn how to deal with their worries and become more resilient. This becomes a bedrock for them to learn essential coping skills.

Parents, let's be real! We can't promise our children that something bad will never happen, but what we can do is demonstrate confidence in their ability to face their fears and become stronger. Want to know how? This is exactly what we are going to unravel in this blog. Read along to know more!

What is Childhood Anxiety?

Childhood anxiety are not just normal worries that most children feel from time to time, such as being scared of the dark or feeling anxious about a new school.

When these fears don't go away and interfere with a child's daily activities, such as school, home, or play, a child becomes anxious!

Before we jump onto anxiety management for kids, let’s try to identify the different types of childhood anxieties:

• Separation Anxiety - An intense fear of being separated from a parent or caregivers.

• Phobia - An intense fear of certain things or situations such as dogs, insects or going to the doctor.

• Social Anxiety - A deep fear of social situations, especially those involving people outside of your immediate family.

• Generalised Anxiety - Constant worrying about everyday things or events. 

• Panic Disorder - Sudden and intense anxiety symptoms with or without a clear trigger.

It is important to remember that childhood anxiety isn't just about feeling scared. If left unchecked, it can make your child irritable, tired and cause physical discomfort. As a parent, if you feel that your child's fears and worries seem to be holding them back, don’t wait to take appropriate measures for your child’s anxiety management. And the good news is that with the right support, childhood anxiety can be controlled and overpowered.

8 Reasons Behind Childhood Anxiety

Here are some of the most common reasons for childhood anxiety:

• Genetics

Fear can run in families. If parents or close relatives suffer from anxiety disorders, children are more likely to develop anxiety disorders due to genetic factors. 

• Temperament

Some children are born sensitive. These traits make them more susceptible to anxiety, especially in new or challenging situations like schools or while trying to make friends.

• Stressful Events

Major changes such as moving to a new home, starting a new school, a divorce in the family can cause anxiety in children who struggle to adjust.

• Overprotective Parents

When parents are overprotective or controlling, children do not develop the confidence to handle situations on their own, which can increase anxiety.

• Environmental Factors

Children who grow up in a stressful environment, such as economic hardships, constant conflicts with parents, or exposure to violence, can develop anxiety.

• School Pressure

Pressure from parents, teachers, and peers to succeed in school can lead children to worry excessively about their grades. This is also a very common precursor to childhood anxiety.

• Bullying

Children who are exposed to bullying or have difficulty fitting in with their peers may develop social anxiety. This can make them fearful of school or social encounters.

• Health Problems

Frequent doctor's visits can cause fear or worry in children. This is especially true for children who associate these visits with pain, fear or discomfort.

How Parents Can Manage Kids Anxiety At Home?

Anxiety management for children can be done in the following ways:

• Help your child tolerate their fears rather than trying to eliminate them completely. Gradually, anxiety will naturally decrease as their coping skills improve.

• Avoiding anxiety-provoking situations may provide short-term relief, but it will increase anxiety in the long term. Instead, encourage your child to face their fears in a supportive way. This will significantly boost their self-confidence

• Rather than promising your child that their fears won't come true, reassure your child that they can handle whatever happens. This will make them more steadfast and resilient in the face of uncertainty.

• Validate their emotions by acknowledging their fears, but at the same time encourage them to believe in their ability to cope. For instance, if you see that your child is scared, make sure that you acknowledge that fear but also place confidence in your child’s strength to deal with it.

• Watch your tone of voice and body language to avoid signalling that something is scary. When you model a calm and confident persona, it can greatly help ease your child's anxiety.

• Acknowledge and praise your child's efforts to face his fears. Make it clear to them that the more they continue their efforts, the less fearful they will become over time. 

• Keep the time between talking about a stressful event as short as possible.

• Children learn by observing, so if you show them healthy coping strategies, they will be more likely to use it themselves.

Conclusion

Childhood anxiety and fears may seem overwhelming, but remember that with patience, understanding and the right strategies, your child can cope in the best possible way.

You can adhere to the above-mentioned tips to better understand anxiety management for kids,  and help your little one overcome their fears one step at a time. As a parent, you must remember that your role as a parent is not just to protect your child, but to strengthen them and show them that they are stronger than who they think they are!

With your support, they can move from anxiety to happiness and face whatever life throws at them with confidence. While we are talking about confidence,  you can explore a wide range of skill games for kids that can bolster your child’s understanding of various fundamental concepts.

Faqs On Anxiety And Childhood

1.    What are common signs of anxiety in children?

Children don't always express their fears directly, so it's important to recognize these signs:

• Excessive worry about everyday life
• Trouble sleeping
• Frequent headaches
• Frequent stomach aches
• Excessive clinginess
• Irritability or restlessness
• Regularly avoiding certain situations etc.
  
  

2.    What are some effective coping strategies for children with anxiety?

To help your child deal with their fears, you first need to teach them healthy coping techniques. You can encourage your child to perform breathing exercises to help calm their body and mind. This will help them break down challenges into small, manageable steps. Speak to them in a positive manner and make them believe that they can handle whatever happens. Discipline or making a routine is also beneficial, as predictability reduces anxiety.

3.    How can I create a supportive environment at home for my child?

Start with open communication. Encourage your child to share their feelings without the fear of judgement. Pay attention to your own reactions and always keep calm so your child can learn to do the same. Give your child a supportive environment where they feel heard, understood and loved.

4.    How can I help my child face their fears gradually?

First, figure out exactly what's causing the anxiety and create a plan to address the problem. For example, if your child is afraid of dogs, you could start by reading books about dogs, then watching videos. Next, gradually start going to parks with dogs keeping a safe distance. This technique is known as gradual exposure.