Anxiety In Children

School or other social atmospheres such as daycare can be a great opportunity for children to learn new topics, develop ideas, form new friendships, and create a sense of self. However, navigating in new environments or uncomfortable situations can cause anxiety in some children. Whether it is a child nervous walking to their new classroom, an anxious child worrying about going outside for recess, or a child afraid to go in front of the classroom for a presentation, it is important to be able to understand anxiety in children and know how you can help. That is why here at Pediatric Associates of Plainview, a center for Levittown Pediatrics, we offer anxiety screenings so that we can properly diagnose and help children who may be suffering from it. 

What is Anxiety?

Believe it or not, it is healthy to experience anxiety from time to time. However, if anxiety persists and a person experiences it at extraordinary levels, it could be considered a disorder. Anxiety has been rooted in us since the early days of humanity. By activating our “fight-or-flight response,” It allowed our early ancestors to evade or fight off potential predators. Today, our anxiety has shifted towards work, school, money, or other social issues. Common symptoms of anxiety may include: 

• Restlessness. 
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Unable to concentrate on your day-to-day tasks. 
• Raising heartbeat and sweating.
• Increased feeling of irritability. 

Types of Anxiety In Children

If you believe your child is experiencing anxiety, look out for signs such as being clingy, crying, throwing tantrums, or being unable to sleep. Keep in mind that anxiety is not always a bad thing, and be sure to bring them to our center for Levittown Pediatrics if it becomes a concern.  

The different types of anxiety that are commonly experienced by children are:

• Specific Phobia – Having a severe and irrational fear for a situation or thing such as fear of spiders, going in front of the classroom, or certain objects. 
• Social Anxiety – Your child fears social situations such as being around other children at a playground or social space. They feel very anxious and self-conscious and may worry about being judged or bullied.
• Separation Anxiety – Your child gets extremely upset when you part ways from them when dropping them off at school or daycare. 

What Should You Do? 

There are a few ways you can help your child if they experiencing high levels of anxiety, including:

• Asking your child to name their anxiety.
• Going to new places to help your child adapt to new environments. 
• Being mindful of your behavior and acting as a role model for your kids (remember kids tend to mimic their parents).
• Allowing your child to destress when needed. 
• Giving them exposure by having them order their food at a restaurant or ask for the things they need. 
• Bringing them to our center for Levittown Pediatrics to get a proper anxiety screening.

Levittown Pediatrics 

If you believe that your child is experiencing high levels of anxiety, you should be sure to seek out professional help as soon as possible. Consider bringing them to our team at Pediatric Associates of Plainview for an anxiety screening. We will work to assess your child’s anxiety and properly diagnose whatever problems they are facing. Don’t wait, contact us to get started today!