Childhood Anxiety: Recognizing Signs and Coping Strategies

It’s normal to worry as a child. However, excessive anxiety is not healthy and can lead to depression. It’s important to address it as early as possible. Take a look at this guide from Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA to learn how.

Causes of Childhood Anxiety

Anxiety in children can come from a wide range of things, some of which parents are unaware of. Some common triggers include the following:

• Moving to a new home or city 
• Starting a new school 
• Hearing or seeing parents argue 
• Being made fun of or bullied in school 
• Dreams, movies, and videos that create the fear of house fires or car accidents 
• Being involved in a traumatic event, such as a house fire or car accident 
• Death of a loved one 
• Abuse 

Feeling pressured to perform well in school (either by themselves, parents, or someone else)

Sometimes, anxiety is due to genetics. Additionally, there are times when the chemicals in the brain become disrupted, making anxiety more likely.

Outward Signs of Anxiety in Children 

You might not know every thought that is going on in your child’s head, but there are some outward signs that they might be experiencing anxiety. These include but are not limited to: 

• Difficulty sleeping 
• Not wanting to be apart from parents 
• Excessive headaches and tummy aches 
• Difficulty focusing 
• Emotional outbursts – sometimes viewed as tantrums 
• Being very fidgety or unable to sit still
• Appearing shy 
• Bedwetting 
• Lack of appetite 
• Avoiding friends or activities 

What to Do for a Child With Anxiety

The first and most important step is to speak to your child. It’s important that children not feel shame about how they feel and to know that you are there for them.

Next, speak to our team at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA. Other things can also cause symptoms of childhood anxiety, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, they might need medication and behavioral therapy until the anxiety is manageable. 

You can also help your child through the following steps. 

• Keep an open line of communication so that they can speak to you about any anxiety they are experiencing. 
• Help them learn the signs of anxiety, so they can recognize it for themselves. 
• Teach them techniques to cope, such as deep breathing exercises and yoga. 
• Help them learn to express themselves through activities like journaling and art. 
• Keep them active, as this can help regulate emotions. 
• Stick to a family routine to provide a calmer environment. 

For more tips and help in managing childhood anxiety, call (916) 688-5040 to schedule an appointment with our team at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA.