Raising An Anxious Child: How Should Parents Deal With It

Anxieties and phobias are quite normal to a certain extent but if these ailments persist longer, they can cause serious damages. Stress and emotional instabilities are part of life, everyone faces them at one point or another.

Independent tells us that in children, these cycles of anxieties are not permanent and they tend to grow out of these stresses as they mature and gain mental strength and better cognition. However, such disorders can take longer than usual when the anxieties are not normal and patients might experience other complications.

Studies prove that almost 20 percent of teenagers suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxieties are classified into many types, which includes phobias, special phobias, separation anxiety disorder, panic, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic reactions and generalized anxiety disorders.

Despite the nature of these anxieties, the treatment is usually similar. It starts with helping them with their thinking and questioning their negative beliefs and experiences.

In all this, the most important thing is to observe and analyze the difference in the patterns of children behavior. There are many signs that could tell that a child’s anxiety may not be normal, disturbed sleeping patterns, regular physical ailments, such as headaches, stomach problems, lack of concentration, poor performance in school, sudden anger, avoidance of social contact are mostly indications of more than a normal anxiety disorder.

SC Times states the ways in which parents can help their children when dealing with stress and anxiety issues. It is important for parents to set an example for children, to tell them that it’s okay to worry over things. When they express their fears and doubts, parents should assure them that it’s not unusual, everyone has their fears and they overcome them.

When they refuse to involve in social activities, encourage them to go out and make friends, enlighten them of the importance of mutual cooperation. It’s important to be their support, parents support means the most to them, even more than the most successful therapeutic treatments.