ANXIETY

Anxiety is a word we use to describe feelings of unease, worry and fear, and we all experience it from time to time. It incorporates both the emotions and the physical sensations we might experience when we are worried or nervous about something.

It’s hard to know why some young people experience debilitating anxiety and others don’t. Anxiety conditions aren’t caused by a single factor but a combination of things, such as past experiences, ongoing stressful events, personality factors, physical health factors, genetics, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions.

Anxiety is not dangerous. It is uncomfortable, but when managed will eventually decrease. When anxiety gets out of control, it can show itself in different ways:

• Clinging, crying and/or tantrums when you separate
• Excessive shyness/avoiding social situations
• Constant worry and negative thinking
• Feeling stressed/overwhelmed
• Difficulty sleeping
• Excessive sweating
• Heart pounding
• Butterflies in stomach
• Complaints of frequent stomach aches or headaches
• Difficulty with concentration
• Low mood/depression
• Unable to enjoy things
• Getting cross with loved ones often
• Panic/anxiety attacks.

As a parent or guardian, you can play a big part in managing and reducing anxiety in your child.The first step is recognising the signs-the earlier children are given coping mechanisms, the greater the chance of them not needing medication in the future. The idea is to get to them early enough that medication is not needed because it should always be a last resort.