This article explores common signs and symptoms of anxiety in children, differentiating normal development from potential concerns. It offers advice from clinical psychologist Linda Blair on supporting your child through anxiety, covering both emotional and physical manifestations. The piece also discusses the rising trend of fines imposed on parents for taking children out of school for term-time holidays, prompting reflection on parenting choices and challenges.
All children occasionally experience anxiety, especially when faced with unfamiliar situations or new faces. It could be your toddler pulling at your jeans, wanting to be picked up at a playgroup, your three-year-old holding onto you tightly as you leave them at nursery for the first time, or your older child having nighttime accidents. These scenarios are familiar to many parents.
It's important to understand that tantrums and emotional outbursts are a normal part of toddler development, and parents often have to navigate through this phase using various strategies. However, if your child is a bit older and shows signs of excessive crying, clinginess, and a greater need for your presence, it might indicate they are experiencing anxiety.
After ruling out clear causes such as a scary movie or a frightening book, anxiety might be the underlying issue. 3. Loss of appetite and feeling unwell Similarly to dealing with nightmares, you first need to make sure there's no reasonable cause for your child feeling unwell. Take their temperature and keep an eye on them for a couple of days. If you're still unsure, check with your GP just to make sure they're not actually coming down with a cold or virus.
One study, which looked at the symptoms of anxiety in 128 children, found that 74% reported feeling restless and 45% experienced sweating. For older kids, anxiety itself doesn't usually cause a child to suddenly start wetting the bed. But behaviours associated with anxiety - such as constantly asking for more glasses of water to delay bedtime, or eating lots of salty foods - can make bedwetting worse.
'And at home, has there been a change that might be causing them anxiety, such as moving houses or the arrival of a new sibling? Even seemingly small changes, like getting a new bed, can have an impact. If this anxiety persists for more than a few weeks and reaches a level of significant distress, Linda suggests consulting your GP and possibly seeking professional assistance.
CHILD ANXIETY PARENTING ADVICE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS MENTAL HEALTH CHILDREN's EMOTIONS
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