Signs of Anxiety in Your Child
May 14th, 2010 by admin
Anxiety can often go unnoticed in children, because it is a disorder that is internalized in contrast to disruptive disorders like aggression or ADHD. Parents need to be aware of physical complaints or ailments that are psychological in nature. An example would be in your child says he has a headache or stomachache but shows no organic or medical cause for these symptoms. They may in fact be experiencing anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy regards anxiety as a three part issue, psychological (body), cognitive (thoughts) and behavior (often avoidance). Normally psychological symptoms of anxiety include muscle tension, stomachaches, shallow breathing and restlessness. If you believe they are in serious danger take them to their pediatrician. However, one way to determine if the issue may indeed be anxiety, see if any patterns exist; when do they have these complains or physical symptoms? Is it before school or bed time? Paying attention and being aware of these encounters will help in determining if your child is suffering from anxiety.