Anxiety refers to excessive fear or worry that is out of proportion to the situation. Common anxieties in children include separation anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and generalized anxiety. While normal childhood fears, like monsters under the bed, usually pass, anxiety that is extreme and persistent can be problematic. About 10% of children have anxiety that affects school, relationships, or development.
Impact of Anxiety
Childhood anxiety causes distress in the moment but also has long-term effects. Anxious kids often have less developed social skills and lower self-esteem. Constant worrying makes focusing in school hard, leading to lower grades. Anxiety puts kids at higher risk for conditions like depression down the road. Untreated anxiety in childhood also means anxiety is more likely to stick around into the teen and adult years.
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Why Early Treatment Matters
The key reason early treatment for child anxiety matters so much is because a child’s brain is still developing, and it responds very well to professional help. Neural pathways and thinking patterns related to anxiety are not as ingrained yet in young kids. With tools like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), child behavioral therapists can essentially ‘rewire’ the brain to change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. According to the experts at Aspire Psychological, the earlier this rewiring happens, the better long-term outcomes tend to be. Early intervention can often minimize impacts to development and reduce the likelihood of anxiety persisting for years.
Available Treatments
The mainstay of professional anxiety treatment is CBT, which works by changing negative thought patterns and facing feared situations in a gradual way. Additional therapies like social skills training, play therapy, and parent counseling are often added to help kids of different ages with different needs. Medications are occasionally used but therapy is the first line approach. Treatment plans will vary based on factors like the child’s age, type/severity of anxiety, and other conditions present. The right plan provides tools to manage anxiety and build confidence.
Seeking Evaluation
Since therapy works best early on, getting assessed at the first signs of trouble with anxiety is important. Warning signs may include avoiding school or play, frequent stomachaches/headaches, extreme worry, sleep issues, panic attacks, or meltdowns. If you spot any of these issues persisting for over a month and affecting your child’s ability to function happily, seek an evaluation with a child psychologist, psychiatrist, or behavioral therapist. They can determine if anxiety is present and recommend appropriate treatment. The good news is that child anxiety is very treatable, especially when identified and treated early.
Why Parents Matter
Parents play a huge role in childhood anxiety getting better or worse. Anxious kids often pick up on their parents’ stress without even realizing it. Criticism or accommodating fears too much enables avoidance rather than coping. Working with a trained professional equips parents with strategies like staying calm, positive reinforcement, and motivating gradual exposures to things that induce worry. Consistent use of these strategies both within therapy sessions and at home leads to meaningful progress for kids. So parental participation in each step of the way is vital when addressing child anxiety proactively.
Conclusion
Seeking help early in the onset of anxiety symptoms gives children the best chance at overcoming excessive fears before they cause disruption to development. The brain is primed to unlearn the unhelpful patterns underlying anxiety, and evidence-based treatment facilitated by child behavioral therapists rewires kids to respond adaptively. When everyone works together – the mental health team, parents, schools – outcomes tend to be excellent. Anxiety need not hold your child back, if caught and treated early. The first step is realizing that early intervention matters and reach out now, before anxiety progresses further.