Childhood Anxiety: Common Causes, Coping Strategies for Parents and Children

Common causes of childhood anxiety:

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Archana Singhal, counselor, family therapist and founder of Mindwell Council in Delhi, highlighted the following causes of childhood anxiety –

• Genetic Factors: Children who have a family history of anxiety disorders are at great risk.
• environmental factors: Environmental factors become the main contributors to anxiety. For:- Disturbance between both parents, fights in the family or loss of a loved one can trigger anxiety. An unhappy family also contributes to feelings of anxiety.
• Social Impact: Peer pressure, bullying, and social interactions also contribute to anxiety. The pressure to stay fit can increase anxiety.
• Academic Pressure: In today’s scenario there is a lot of pressure to get good marks and grades. Fear of tests and failure also creates anxiety in children.

Bringing in her expertise, Prasanna Vasanadu, parent educator and founder of Tikitoro, shared, “For children, it is important to understand their triggers and learn to manage emotions. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to seek professional help from a therapist to effectively address and manage the anxiety. He listed the causes of childhood anxiety as follows –

• genetic factors: Anxiety or mental health problems run in the family.
• environmental factors: Environmental factors include traumatic or stressful experiences, schedule adjustments, and family conflicts.
• personality traits: Children who are naturally more sensitive or perfectionistic are examples of personality traits.
• Developmental Factors: Specific developmental stages, such as starting school or puberty, can cause anxiety.
• habitual behavior: Children with anxiety may develop habits like excessive scratching or scratching their skin, which can lead to irritation, infection, or wounds. These behaviors often arise from their need to deal with their anxiety.
• Academic Pressure: School stress can cause a lot of anxiety in children, especially as they begin to move into more formal educational environments. Anxiety may be caused by pressure to perform well on tests, fear of failure, or concerns about grades and academic success.

Coping Strategies for Parents and Children:

Archana Singhal gave advice-

1. Open Communication: Encourage your children to express their feelings, listen carefully and try to understand. After this conversation he feels much lighter.
2. Establish a routine: Try to create and follow a healthy routine. Consistent daily routines help children feel more in control and reduce anxiety levels.
3. Teach relaxation techniques: Introduce methods like meditation, yoga and some physical exercises. These will help you manage and reduce anxiety.
4. Seek professional help: If you notice any significant effects of anxiety in your child’s behavior. Then go and consult a mental health professional.
5. Limit exposure to stress-causing factors: Try to keep children away from anxiety-provoking material and help them manage their anxiety, whether it’s caused by academic pressure or social interaction.

By understanding these root causes of anxiety and implementing these coping strategies, parents can create a healthy and stress-free environment that promotes emotional well-being.

Prasanna Vasanadu said, “Parents can help by creating a supportive and open environment where children feel safe in expressing their feelings. Simply telling a child not to worry or to stop thinking about their problems is neither helpful nor valid. It’s better to reassure your child that it’s OK for them to be scared, and emphasize that you’ll be there to help them every step of the way. If a child has difficulty explaining how they feel, ask them to communicate in story form.

He further recommended –

1. Honest Communication: Encouraging your child to talk openly about their feelings can help them feel supported and understood.
2. Listen Actively: Observe your child’s verbal and nonverbal cues. Understand and validate their feelings.
3. gradual exposure of fear: Help children face their fears by breaking them down into gradually manageable steps. For example, if a child is afraid to sleep alone, start by sitting with them for a few minutes and gradually reduce the time over a few nights.
4. Establish a daily routine: Establish a regular schedule for your meals, homework, playtime, and bedtime.
5. social networking: Anxiety can be reduced by healthy social relationships. Encourage your youth to make friends and participate in enjoyable group activities. Sometimes, as children grow up, social pressures related to appearance can also cause concerns about their skin.
6. Promote healthy behaviour: Encouraging healthy practices can benefit your child’s mental health. For example:

● A balanced diet for your child should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins.

● Daily exercise to help reduce stress and improve mood.

● Create a relaxing evening ritual and make sure your children get enough rest.

● Promoting a positive attitude in your child can help them become less anxious and more resilient. This also increases their self-esteem and confidence.

Don’t wait for anxiety to increase. Start implementing these strategies today to help your child build resiliency and confidently overcome their fears. Talking about when to seek professional help, Prasanna Vasanadu suggests –

(i) When anxiety interferes with your child’s everyday activities, academic performance or social interactions, professional help is necessary.

(ii) Your child may exhibit physical symptoms, including headaches or stomach aches, which are associated with anxiety.

Childhood anxiety is a common and manageable condition if you address it early and correctly. Although it is natural for children to experience fear occasionally, severe anxiety can harm a child’s growth and development.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.