Anxious Kids
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the country, affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older.
For kids, anxiety can be especially difficult to deal with. They may not understand what's happening, and they may feel powerless to do anything about it.
In this article, we’ll discuss the signs of anxiety in kids, and we’ll offer a few tips on how to help anxious kids cope.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a common emotion that everyone experiences. In kids, anxiety can become problematic when it is excessive, and starts to interfere with their daily life. If you notice that your child is experiencing intense or uncontrollable anxiety, you should seek help from a mental health professional..
Anxiety can be a sign of a medical issue, or it can be a sign of a mental health issue. The most common anxiety disorders in children are:
1. Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
2. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
3. Panic Disorder
4. Specific Phobias
5. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Here are some signs of anxiety in kids:
1. Anxious behaviors
2. Irritability
4. Sleep Problems (including nightmares)
9. Problems with Eating
11. School Problems
15. Low Self-Esteem
The good news is that there are many things that you can do to deal with your child’s anxiety.
Therapy can help your child learn how to manage their anxiety.
What you can do to help your child cope with anxiety
Here are some tips:
1. If you yourself have anxiety, it is important that you role model (as much as you are able), calm behavior. and for your own sake, learn effective coping strategies. This will instill some confidence in your child.
2. Encourage your child to talk about how they feel. They may not be able to put it into words, but help them express how they are feeling.
3. Provide encouragement and gentle reassurances to your child so that they know you are supportive and believe in their ability to overcome their anxiety.
If your child is having difficulty coping with their anxiety, they will likely benefit from therapy.
We Can Help
We are experienced psychotherapists who have worked with children, adolescents, college students, and adults on anxiety management. Give us a call or send an email to learn how we can help your child. They can learn effective coping strategies and manage their anxiety so that it now longer negatively impacts their life. (908) 857-4422 or info@hhccnj.com
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment, click on the Book Now button. There you will see our availability for the next two months. You can select the day and time that works best for you. We look forward to talking with you and will do our best to be of assistance. For more on anxiety: Anxiety and Anxiety in children