With all these new changes to our daily lives, it probably won’t come as a surprise that anxiety is on the rise. Kids are very astute to what’s going on and may be dealing with feelings centered around uncertainty, change, instability, and loss just like the rest of us.
According to studies, anxiety effects people of all ages. In fact, 1 in 3 people are reported to struggle with this condition.
A single event or an accumulation of things could trigger higher anxiety levels in your child. Examples could include anything from a new situation (like switching to online learning), an exam, a deadline, how we think we look, or whether we feel safe in our environment. Sometimes anxiety levels can increase for no known reason at all, this is known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Anxiety has a strong effect on children because it’s one of their natural survival responses. It causes their mind and body to speed up to prepare them to respond to an emergency. The uncomfortable feelings associated with anxiety can be triggered during difficult times, so it is no surprise given the uncertain nature of this current time that negative feelings may be more prevalent.
Watch your child closely for these signs:
Physical signs to look out for
- Rapid and/ or irregular heartbeat
- Fast breathing
- Weakened or tense muscles
- Sweating
- Churning stomach or lose bowels
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
Psychological signs to look out for
- Trouble sleeping
- Lack of concentration
- Feeling irritable
- Feeling depressed
- Loss of self-confidence
The uncomfortable feelings associated with anxiety can be difficult for children to identify or name. It is therefore useful to expose children to materials that may help them better understand their feelings. To learn how to manage your child’s anxiety check out Dr. Louise Lightfoot’s helpful tips.
