A child that worries a lot can wear on parents and caregivers. They may have a lot of questions about every detail of their day. They may resist or refuse going to certain places that seem benign or fun to most children. They seem to anticipate and try to prepare for every bad thing that could happen. Understanding the early signs of anxiety disorder in children may help you get your child the help they need sooner, leading to an improved quality of life for them and for you.
At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, we encourage you to seek help if you believe your child is suffering from any type of mental health condition, including anxiety disorder. There is no harm in consulting with a doctor or therapist to find out what might be occurring.
Signs of Anxiety Disorder in Children
Not all anxiety is a disorder. Anxiety is a normal emotion that most children will express at one time or another. Anxiety is the brain’s way of preparing for what is to come. Yet when anxiety infiltrates day-to-day tasks or makes it challenging for your child to engage in other activities, it may be time to seek professional treatment.
When you notice the following signs of anxiety disorder in children, it is time to reach out to us for help in managing your child’s mental health and well-being.
- Worrying more than their friends or other children their age
- Struggling to relax, being restless and unable to sit still
- Making statements about not feeling okay, often expressing concerns over a stomach ache, headaches, or muscle pain
- Shaking or tremors
- Difficulty focusing on tasks
- The easy onset of anger for no apparent reason
- Difficulty sleeping, including waking from nightmares or being unable to sleep on their own
- Refusal to go to school or do activities they used to enjoy
- Changes in appetite that are not related to other conditions
- Needing to use the bathroom often
If your child exhibits any of these signs and symptoms, and they continue to occur over time, they may have an anxiety use disorder. This is a treatable condition, and treatment can improve their overall quality of life.
Understanding the Causes of Anxiety in Children
Many parents wonder how their child could have developed anxiety disorders. It’s often due to a major change or stress of some type, such as the following:
- Death of a person that was close to them, such as a grandparent
- Domestically challenging home environments where parents or others argue or there is a threat of disruption through divorce or separation
- Moving to a new location, especially when this happens often
- Trouble with having a safe place to live or access to food
- Bullying and neglect
- Inconsistent schooling
Anxiety can worsen over time without treatment. Let our team help you determine what intervention your child might need.
When to Call Us
If your child has any of the following warning signs, do not wait to contact our team for immediate help:
- Sudden and ongoing sadness that does not improve with or without cause
- Drastic behavior or personality changes
- Inability to sleep
- Loss of interest in things they loved to do or in friends they used to play with
- Talking about suicide or harming themselves or others
Willow Creek Behavioral Health offers a free, fully confidential assessment. Our mental health professionals are available 24/7 to provide you with guidance.
Anxiety Is a Treatable Disorder
It is a common misconception that anxiety will disappear when things “calm down” or when a child gets used to their situation. However, this is not always the case. Treatment for anxiety disorder, individualized to your child’s needs, can help them work through challenges and develop healthy thought patterns.
Seek Help from Our Anxiety Disorder Team Now
Turn to Willow Creek Behavioral Health now if you are worried that your child may be developing an anxiety disorder or another type of mental health disorders. We treat children between the ages of 7 and 17, providing supportive, comprehensive treatment that helps improve their quality of life and build their future.
