Symptoms of Anxiety in Children

Article from: My Family UK

When dealing with the symptoms of anxiety in children it is very important to be able to react in the best way. This will help them in the future, as well as solve their current problems.

Parenting and Anxiety

Individuals cope with anxiety in many different ways. As parents it is important to guide children to help themselves get through anxiety, without exacerbating their emotions, as well as providing an immediate source of help. There is no foolproof method to calming and helping a child through these things, but the following ideas will help both of you work out the best way to cope.

1) Stay calm

As a parent, you have unavoidably adopted a guiding role to your child, and confidence is central to maintaining this. If you behave anxiously when your child becomes anxious, their anxiety level will continue to increase. To decrease anxiety and to get to the heart of every situation, the parent must set an example to the child: remain calm, and speak rationally.

2) Be quiet

Adults tend to cope with stress by talking more, as a means of releasing stress-induced energy. But this is extremely counteractive to any child’s coping process. An anxious child is an emotional being, and too many words and ideas will only confuse them. At any rate, they are the focal point, not you. To support the child, you need to be emotionally responsive, rather than solving problems rationally. Simple things like hugs can go a long way.

3) Slow down

When a child is anxious, he or she may not be able to process information as effectively as normal.  It is important for you to remember that you need to slow down everything that you are doing and saying in order to give the child this time. Independence is important, and the children will explain their problems to you if you are prepared to wait.

4) Be observant

When a child’s level of anxiety is increased, there is always a reason for this emotional change. As the guide, it is your job to take a step back, look at the situation, and try to ascertain the causeof  the anxiety.  Is there a transition approaching?  Does the child need more sensory input?  If you can pinpoint the source of the trouble, you will be able to talk the child through it, and prepare for it together.

5) Know your child

As individuals, we all have different forms of relaxation that we enjoy.  For some it is reading a book, and for others it may be bouncing on a trampoline.  Whatever the preferences are, it is important to know what strategies help your child to relax and calm down.  This may include deep breathing, quiet time, physical exercise, or being left alone for a period of time. Suggest these activities to your child, but do not force them into anything: you need only trust that, given time and support, they will recover.

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go now!

About the Author

My Family UK is a brand new website that is turning the online focus back onto families. We’re dedicated to supporting you and your family live the life you choose to the full, with games, tips, offers and articles on all aspects of parenting. If your family means the world to you, check out www.myfamilyuk.com.

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