Some Ways to Address Child Anxieties

childanxieties

What are Some Ways to Address Child Anxieties ?

Contrary to what people may believe, anxiety disorders are conditions not only restricted to the adult population. This dreadful and frightening mental condition can also affect our dear little ones who, in their innocence, are not free to the effects of stress in their lives.

Although they may be too young in our eyes to be ever concerned with anything other than satisfying their desire for fun and play, these kids can feel some pressure, too. Child anxieties are real. The stresses that they experience usually come in the form of being bullied by their playmates or being exposed to any kind of violence in the media or in their environment. Conflicts at home, separation from their parents and the grief that accompanies the death of a loved one or a pet can overwhelm their fragile coping system, as well.

Normally, child anxieties tend to fade away with time. Children outgrow them and live normal lives, able to cope well with duties and responsibilities. But there are instances when these fears go over the usual limit. When this is observed, parents’ attention and action are very much warranted.

Never ridicule or dismiss child anxieties.

When children experience fear and anxiety, it is important that parents hear them out. When they come forward with their problems, parents must never belittle their feelings as if their worries are not that important. Ridiculing them and dismissing their confessions by saying “don’t be silly, kid” is not helpful at all.

Responses of ridicule and dismissal from parents will result in children making choices based on their fears. They will end up avoiding and escaping every difficulty that they face. Sometimes, this can push children to seek the comfort they so want from their parents from other people who will make them feel better and safe. This kind of behavior could lead them to start missing school, join gangs, drink alcohol, smoke and use drugs.

Respect child anxieties.

In addition to the above mentioned impression, respect is a very important element in addressing the scared feelings of your kids. It is vital that every parent tries to comfort and appease the very common fears kids face – fears such as fear of the dark, ghosts, boogeyman, and odd noises. Mom and dad should try tact as if they were the ones feeling the anxiety. They should reflect what the fearful child should need most in such circumstance. They should feel the anxiety as if it were their own to be able to respond well.

Take action in cases of bullying.

Bullying plays a big part in child anxieties. Being laughed at and being picked on by others cause the child to lose confidence on himself. Feeling a sense of loss of self-worth will brew feelings of fear that he is inadequate and unloved. This will affect the way he perceives and acts on things. It is then the parents’ task to reach out to the child and help him understand what is bullying. Parents must also make sure that the child’s exposure to this violence is eliminated soon. Since bullying happens in school most of the time, these instances must be reported immediately to the school administrators for corrective action.

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Tell them you love them.

With the loss of self-confidence, parents have to make sure that they reassure their child of their complete love and care for them. Sweet words of loving reassurance will greatly help quell the negative feelings the child may feel. But to reinforce these words, words of love that parents’ speak should be supplemented by caresses of love, as well.

Talk with them.

One of the most important things that parents must never forget is to regularly communicate with their children. No matter what age they may be, talking with them and pressing them to express and say what they are thinking and feeling will keep mom and dad aware with their daily happenings. Asking them what they do, what they see and what they hear and observing how they communicate will give parents an idea if there are things that have been bothering them. If parents catch these worries early on, they can halt the escalation of these reservations.

If you child seems to be anxious and evasive, consider problems or situations that may lie behind this evasion. Often children who wish to tell their parents about their anxieties, but are afraid to do so reveal their intentions with tell-tale signs.


Be alert to the 10 physical signs a child is lying to you.

Drawings speak their feelings and thoughts.

Because children’s communication skills are still not quite developed, parents have to find other means of getting their children to express themselves. Drawing is an excellent medium to do this. Hence, parents have to take note of their child’s drawings and art works. These usually show the child’s inner feelings and thoughts which he cannot fully express in words. Moreover, art therapy serves as one of the many effective anxiety coping techniques.

Studies show that art work or creative play provides a form of distraction for children under stress; it not only reduces child anxieties, but allows them to work out their hostilities and fear in a safe way.

When children are involved in an art project, they feel a measure of control over what they do. This sense of control often shifts into their day to day consciousness, giving them the ability to deal more effectively with personal issues. Art Therapy can help dissolve child anxieties.

Children are fragile little beings. They are still psychologically and physically developing. Parents then have to make sure that they keep a close eye on the activities or affairs of their child. A change must never be taken for granted, for such could be a sign of growing anxiety.

Anxiety is a common ground for Ryan Riviera. He was a victim of such experience. He has successfully overcome it through various anxiety coping techniques. If you are experiencing anxiety, visit www.calmclinic.com to learn more on how to solve yours.

Disclaimer: The above information is meant only to inform and should never displace professional consultation.

Disclaimer: The above information is meant only to inform and should never displace professional consultation.

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