How to spot anxiety disorder in children

Anxiety is a manifestation of stress. It affects the physical and emotional well-being of an individual. An anxious person is constantly worried about a possible failure in every action. Anxiety also makes a person feel like he or she is always on the threshold of danger.

Anxiety is a natural reaction to danger and threat. It is an important physiological reaction and it prepares the human body to either face danger or escapes it. When the body reacts to anxiety, we sense certain physical reactions that include:

•    Quick breathing
•    Increased heartbeat
•    Dizziness
•    Profuse sweating
•    Shaky hands and feet

Anxiety in Children
Like adults, children face anxiety frequently. Sometimes it is just mild as a sense of uneasiness and sometimes, it is extreme panic. In most cases, extreme temper tantrums and unruly behavior are a result of unrecognized anxiety.

Anxiety in children is perfectly normal. The trouble arises when the signs of anxiety are severe enough to qualify for a disorder. The most common anxiety disorders found in young children are:

•    Phobia
•    Separation Anxiety
•    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
•    Generalized anxiety disorder
•    Post-traumatic stress disorder

As a parent, you can identify anxiety disorder in your child when you notice the following signs.

Frequent Temper Tantrums
When a child throws extreme temper tantrums repeatedly it could mean anxiety disorder. Children with this disorder are inhibited. These children are disruptive in school. They can be seen throwing themselves on the floor when they do not get what they want, especially in places like the shopping mall.

Constant fear
A child with anxiety disorder is always worried and fears every situation. This fear leads to evasion and the child avoids a range of activities and issues. When you find a normally cooperative child elude school, homework, play and other activities it is a sign of anxiety disorder.

Physical aches

When children frequently complain of stomach aches and headache, it could be due to anxiety. These complaints are recurrent when the child is asked to do something unfamiliar or uncomfortable to him. Most often, you will sense the pain is unreal and it is just a route to get away from the situation.

Troubles with sleep
Children with anxiety disorder have bizarre sleeping patterns. They find it difficult to fall asleep and they are disturbed by nightmares regularly. As a result, they wake up many times through the course of the night. They also fear to sleep alone.

Constant worry
Minors with an anxiety disorder are invariably worried. They are always in need of help and support in dealing with their worries. They require words of encouragement and reassurance time and again. These children will also ask their parents or caretakers for reassurance all the time.

Fear of team activities
Kids with an anxiety disorder are not comfortable taking part in team activities. They can be seen silent during classroom discussions. They also stay away from sports, games and school camps. As a result, these children can be seen detached from almost all kinds of activities at school.

Assessment 
All the types of anxiety disorders have certain common signs that are listed above. These signs affect a child’s emotions and thoughts and they bring about a change in the child’s behavior. Assessment depends on the frequency and intensity at which a child experiences these signs. Prompt assessment and professional guidance have proven to help children with anxiety disorders.