Anxiety in Children: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment in Kirkland, WA

Anxiety is a common condition among children, and having a child with anxiety can make parenting even more challenging, but there are many ways parents can support their child through anxiety while providing them with a safe and understanding environment to ensure that their child feels comfortable discussing their feelings. Parents can provide this support by also providing access to professional care for their children, including regular check-ins with a pediatrician or healthcare provider that specializes in treating children with anxiety. Once the child has all of the professional support that they may need, the responsibility of the parents is to encourage open communication and to actively listen to the concerns of their child. The pediatric specialist will also provide the parents of their patients with different methods to help their child use what they learn, such as coping strategies and coordinating care with other specialists or adult mentors in the child’s life including their teachers or coaches.

There are many different common symptoms of anxiety but there are many symptoms that are similar among patients regardless of their age. Common symptoms that children with anxiety can experience include:

– Excessive fear or worry
– Difficulty concentrating
– Irritability
– Trouble sleeping
– Restlessness

It is also common for children to experience physical symptoms of their anxiety such as headaches or stomach aches. Children with anxiety tend to avoid certain activities or situations that lead them to increased symptoms of anxiety. Being aware of the common symptoms of anxiety among children is incredibly important for parents as most children will be unable to know how to accurately articulate their feelings or to determine specific triggers for their anxiety. If your child is displaying any of these symptoms, it is highly recommended that you bring your child to see a specialist to ensure that they have access to an accurate diagnosis and proper guidance to help them manage their anxiety.

There is no “one size fits all” course of treatment that will be the best option for children with anxiety, but the best treatment will be a personalized treatment plan that has been created based on the specific needs of the individual child by a healthcare professional who specializes in treating anxiety in children. The most effective treatment plans will typically include a variety of techniques that ensure the child has access to resources, strategies, and the guidance that they need to help navigate their anxiety. Common techniques that are included in treatment plans include therapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to help the child learn coping strategies that work well for them, as well as medication when deemed appropriate for the child. The treatment plan will be entirely personalized to accommodate the specific needs, symptoms, and general health of the child to ensure that they have the tools that they need to thrive and continue with healthy development.

There are a variety of potential causes for anxiety among children, and often the anxiety is the result of a combination of contributing factors, such as:

– Genetic predisposition
– Family history of anxiety
– Learned behavior
– Brain chemistry
– Environmental factors
– Traumatic experiences

Children with anxiety can have varying causes for the condition and may also experience less common symptoms, making it sometimes difficult to determine an accurate diagnosis and to determine the best treatment approach without the support of a healthcare professional who has specific training in pediatric mental health.

If you have a family history of anxiety disorder or have a child who has started to display some symptoms that align with common symptoms of anxiety, it is highly recommended that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional to provide your child with the support and guidance that they need to properly manage their anxiety. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Kirkland WA, Seattle WA, Shoreline WA, Lake Forest Park WA, Kenmore WA, Woodinville WA, Mountlake Terrace WA, Woodway WA, Edmonds WA, Lynnwood WA, Bothell WA and Lake Washington WA.