How To Spot And Get Treatment For Generalized Anxiety Disorder In Children
Generalized anxiety disorder in children can be hard to spot. More often than not, the behavior can be misinterpreted as bad behavior, acting out, or just "being a worry wart." Children with this condition need to be helped, though, and the first way to help it to identify it for what it is.
What It Is
Generalized anxiety disorder in children is usually known to produce excessive worrying. Children who are afflicted with this disorder can worry about a multitude of things such as family safety, the welfare of a pet, school, things that have happened to them, things that may happen to them, friends' reactions, etc. Children who have generalized anxiety will find that the worrying is hard to control. They may seem obsessive, off in their own world, or anxious. Generalized anxiety disorder in children basically disrupts the child's to the point that they can no longer function normally.
Symptoms
Generalized anxiety disorder in children will be seen as excessive anxiety and worry. Though the child may have some good days, many of them will be filled with intense worry for at least six months. The worry is usually about more than one thing. For example, the child may worry constantly about his or her mother being in a car accident, his team winning, and test scores.
The child may also feel restless and on edge. He or she may also be anxious, have difficulty concentrating on activities, may get easily tired, and may suffer from insomnia.
Treatment
Generalized anxiety disorder in children has some simple, non-medicated treatments.
First, if the child is of school age, then the parent may want to speak with the child's teacher and counselor to see what they may suggest. Some schools have excellent counseling programs, or they may be able to refer the parent to a good counselor or therapist.
It is usually helpful for the child to know what generalized anxiety disorder in children is, and to learn ways to control it. One way is to turn anxious thoughts into positive ones. If the child consciously knows what thoughts are anxious then he or she can actively work to change the thoughts. The child can be taught to give themselves pep talks to combat any negative thoughts that they have. The more information that a parent gathers on generalized anxiety disorder in children the better they will be able to help their child.
