Anxiety disorders come in many shapes and sizes and can affect everyone at some point in their lives. Children are no different from adults when it comes to experiencing anxiety or depression. They are as susceptible as anyone else. The major difference is that adults are able to rationalise their feelings and emotions as familiar and unfamiliar. Adults can recognise if they can handle how they are feeling or if they are having emotions that they need help with. A child or adolescent is less likely to have the ability to recognise what their feelings of anxiety are or to know that they can ask for help to feel better.
Children and adolescents rely on the adults in their lives for every part of their wellbeing, including their emotional and mental health. Whether you are a parent, teacher, caregiver, or childminder, knowing how to recognise the symptoms of a childhood anxiety disorder will help you help the children in your life.
Why Do Children Experience Anxiety Disorders?
There is no one reason why children experience anxiety disorders. There are many forms of anxiety disorders that can affect children, each with different causes. A Generalised Anxiety Disorder, known as GAD, is considered to be caused in part by inherited behaviours. For example, an anxious parent may find that their child has similar tendencies. GAD can also be caused by something traumatic experienced by the child.
Life events, such as moving home or school, parents divorcing, bullying, and new experiences can also be the root cause of many anxiety disorders. These can cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), OCD, panic, social anxiety, and even phobias.
What Does Anxiety Look Like In A Child or Adolescent?
A growing child, of any age, can experience anxiety. As a child, we are not equipped with the skills and knowledge to know what you are feeling. In turn, this can create behaviors that might not be instantly associated with anxiety.
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