Anxiety or panic disorders in childhood

Anxiety disorder is not the same as the fear and anxiousness that we all feel at some point in our lives. With anxiety disorders, these feelings of unease become more frequent than usual. People with this condition may also have panic attacks where they suddenly feel intense fear. These attacks may come with fast breathing and racing heartbeats.

Anxiety disorders affect about 1 in 10 children worldwide. Anxiety in childhood affects their ability to function in school. In some cases, they become less confident, shy or struggle to make friends due to this fear.

You need to differentiate anxiety or panic disorders from typical fear or anxiousness. The following are tips to help you do just that. Look out for:

• Constant worrying or focusing on negative outcomes.
• Difficulty sleeping or waking up several times at night.
• Overeating or loss of appetite.
• Sudden episodes of intense fear with difficulty breathing. They may report feeling like they are having a heart attack or about to die.
• Complaints of headache, stomach ache or tense muscles.
• Inability to speak up or having a low voice when speaking with a group of people.
• Fear of outings or other social interactions.
• Frequent peeing and fidgety or restless behaviours.

Parents can support their children and help them overcome anxiety or panic disorders in many ways. The following are examples:

• Talk to a specialist, preferably a child psychologist. This will help you get a diagnosis and a treatment plan to manage your child’s condition.
• Do not panic. Your child is already anxious, and you need to create stability for this child. While anxiety disorders can be scary for parents, it is manageable. There is a lot you can do to boost your child’s confidence.
• Avoid forcing your child to face situations they fear. You can instead, talk to your child about their fears and help them work through the problem.
• Children with anxiety disorders do not do well with suspense or uncertainty. You should not leave them waiting for news or keep them on edge. Give them information promptly and allow them to enjoy familiar things like movies or music.
• Strictly follow your child’s treatment plan. Do not skip doses or give more medications than necessary.
• Register for counselling. Your child may have some sessions alone, while others may be with you and other members of the family. This talk therapy can help them work through their feelings about the triggers of their anxieties and how to face them.
• Practice calming methods with your child. Examples of these methods are taking deep breaths and breathing into a bag.
• Be honest with your child about how you feel about making big decisions. This will help them feel like they are not alone and encourage them to see that everyone has fears: even you, their parent.

Anxiety disorder or panic disorders in children are a huge concern for parents. They can make them scared for their child’s future. This disorder is treatable but may persist into adulthood in some children. Although exposure to instability or bullying at home or at school can trigger this disorder, there is no clear cause for the condition in most children. Early recognition and treatment of the condition can ensure that your child grows into a confident adult.