Well, it’s normal!
That’s probably not the answer you expected, but everyone gets anxious at times. In fact, our bodies are designed to feel anxious at times because that anxiousness helps prepare us for challenges and protects us from potentially dangerous situations.
Imagine this:
You’re out exploring nature, and you find a train track. You start walking on the train track but eventually get tired and sit down on the track to rest. In a few moments, you suddenly hear a train’s whistle blowing and the engine chugging. I bet your heart starts racing, your breathing picks up, and you think “I need to get out of here.” That’s anxiety doing its job. It’s keeping you safe.
BUT anxiety can become problematic. Sometimes, the alarm bells of anxiety can go off when there is no real danger. It may begin to interfere with sleeping and eating, and it can even stop you from doing the important things you need to do.
And the same can be true for children and teens. They can experience short-lived, manageable anxiety (like giving a presentation, starting a new school, or thunderstorms). And they can also experience problematic anxiety that affects their quality of life, causes them significant distress, and keeps them from doing the important things that they need to do (like going to school, going to dances or parties, making friends or dating, getting homework done, or maybe getting a driver’s license).
When this problematic anxiety gets so heightened, it can develop into an anxiety disorder. Some of the most common anxiety disorders that affect children and adolescents are:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): GAD is characterized by excessive and persistent worry or anxiety about various events or activities. This worry is often out of proportion to the actual situation and can impact different aspects of their life, such as school, their social life, and daily routines.
- Phobias: Phobias in children and teens are intense and persistent fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. These fears go beyond typical worries and can cause significant distress, leading to avoidance behaviors that prevent them from encountering the feared object or situation.
- Social Anxiety Disorder: Social Anxiety Disorder in children involves intense fear or anxiety about social situations where they might be exposed to judgment or embarrassment. Children with social anxiety might fear being negatively evaluated by peers, teachers, or others, leading to them to avoid social situations or feel extreme discomfort when participating in them.
- Panic Disorder: Panic disorder in children and teens involves recurring panic attacks. These attacks are intense periods of fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and are accompanied by physical and cognitive symptoms.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder: Separation anxiety in children and teens is a normal part of development, particularly in younger children, but it can also manifest in older individuals. It involves excessive distress or fear when separated from attachment figures, typically parents or caregivers. This anxiety can interfere with daily activities and cause significant emotional distress.
What if I told you that your child doesn’t have to stay stuck in any of this problematic anxiety? There is hope and there is help available for your child. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a child/teen counselor, please click here and complete the new client form.