Situational Anxiety in children

Anxiety is a way we humans have evolved to protect ourselves.Very few people have without anxiety.It's rare to find such people in new modern era.In threatening situations, our brains release a string of responses that result in rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, hyperventilating, and intense fear-all geared to prepare us to danger.

This is the foundation for appropriate and adaptive anxiety. But when this kind of danger response happens enough to significantly interfere with a child or teen's social, academic or recreational functioning, we call it a psychiatric disorder.

For children of any age, anxiety can strike without warning.Typically, children experience symptoms of anxiety when in new situations, when there is perception of potential pain, or when your child fears that they will be separated from you.

The first step in addressing anxiety with your child is to help them notice the changes in their body and behavior. As gently as possible, point out to your child the behaviors you are observing and ask if they notice them too.For example, if your child begins to bite their nails when they are nervous, try the following phrase :``I can see you are biting your nails right now, Did you notice that?''By neutrally addressing the behavior, you are helping them to pay attention to how their body responds to stress.Although you may be frusted by their actions, refrain from disciplining your child as this can cause of shame that may reinforce anxiety-related behaviors.

Parents can take a vital role during this time.Parents should keep full concentration in their children.
As a parent, you are most significant influences of your child's ability to cope with anxiety. By providing you child with the language to label this feeling, normalizing it, and providing your children with relaxation techniques, you are building up your child's resilience in the face of future stressful events.