Anxiety And How It Affects Children
Anxiety is ever present in the daily life of our children and can
be extremely problematic for some children. Knowing the types of
anxiety that affect them is important, bullying can provide a large
stress for children. Additionally Separation Anxiety is not only limited
to children 12-18 months old but can be influenced by both familial
relationships and bullying. Bullying is a growing problem that cause
children to refuse to go to school or develop a school phobia.
A generalized anxiety disorder is similar to the title, children may have excessive anxiety about a variety of things (things in general) with no specific cause. Post-traumatic stress disorder while most commonly associated with returning soldiers, affects children if they experienced a traumatic event such as domestic abuse, losing a loved one, experiencing a natural disaster, or sexual assault. These events cause high levels of anxiety as well as flashbacks, and reliving the experience. Social phobia disorder is seen in children who have excessive fear of being in social situations like crowds or groups. Lastly obsessive-compulsive disorder which includes repetitive thoughts (obsessions), unending desire to repeat specific acts or placing objects in the same arrangement (compulsions.)
When working with your child at home try to be consistent in handling discipline, remembering anxiety is not willful behavior, so being patient with your child is important. Always communicate clear and realistic expectations for your children, and as hard as it may be, keep perfection to a minimum. Accept mistakes, praise and reinforce effort even if the end result is not up to your standards. Help create goals with the child surrounding a specific event that may be causing them anxiety, give strategies such as time management, organization and even small scripts for what to do or say. Avoid being critical, this can lead a child into the depths of anxiety! If the problem persists, seek help, don't assume that it will go away or that the child is just being difficult.
By creating one on one time with your child through massage you are fostering a relationship that will grow stronger. Starting in infancy, a parent can begin to massage their child, which forges a stronger bond between parent and child. This massage time can provide a time for you to sit down with your child, discuss their day or any anxiety they may have and massage provides an outlet for the anxiety. Studies have shown children and adults who receive massage experience the diminished anxiety during academic stress, hospital stays and other potential anxiety related events.
A generalized anxiety disorder is similar to the title, children may have excessive anxiety about a variety of things (things in general) with no specific cause. Post-traumatic stress disorder while most commonly associated with returning soldiers, affects children if they experienced a traumatic event such as domestic abuse, losing a loved one, experiencing a natural disaster, or sexual assault. These events cause high levels of anxiety as well as flashbacks, and reliving the experience. Social phobia disorder is seen in children who have excessive fear of being in social situations like crowds or groups. Lastly obsessive-compulsive disorder which includes repetitive thoughts (obsessions), unending desire to repeat specific acts or placing objects in the same arrangement (compulsions.)
When working with your child at home try to be consistent in handling discipline, remembering anxiety is not willful behavior, so being patient with your child is important. Always communicate clear and realistic expectations for your children, and as hard as it may be, keep perfection to a minimum. Accept mistakes, praise and reinforce effort even if the end result is not up to your standards. Help create goals with the child surrounding a specific event that may be causing them anxiety, give strategies such as time management, organization and even small scripts for what to do or say. Avoid being critical, this can lead a child into the depths of anxiety! If the problem persists, seek help, don't assume that it will go away or that the child is just being difficult.
By creating one on one time with your child through massage you are fostering a relationship that will grow stronger. Starting in infancy, a parent can begin to massage their child, which forges a stronger bond between parent and child. This massage time can provide a time for you to sit down with your child, discuss their day or any anxiety they may have and massage provides an outlet for the anxiety. Studies have shown children and adults who receive massage experience the diminished anxiety during academic stress, hospital stays and other potential anxiety related events.
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