By Candace Schoner
When kids are anxious, it’s natural to want to help them feel better. However, when trying to protect them, it can actually backfire and worsen the anxiety they are experiencing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), 7% of children in the US between the ages of three and 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety. If left untreated in young children, they will almost always experience an increase in anxiety as they age.
Oftentimes, anxiety in children manifests as negative behaviors and becomes more noticeable and intense over time. It is not uncommon for parents to overlook a child’s anxiety because the symptoms may be confused with other challenging behaviors.
As a parent, it is important to learn the common symptoms of anxiety to identify the issue early on.
These symptoms include:
- excessive agitation
- restlessness
- muscle tension
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
- irrational fears
- worries that interfere with normal activities
- avoiding social situations and
- recurring panic attacks.