Anxiety Symptoms in Children

Your hands grow cold and sweaty and drops of sweat come trickling down from the corners of your forehead. It's time to walk up the stage. So, you somehow do, but your feet, as heavy as a rock, prevent you from getting on the stage. The spotlight pans in on you. And bang!! You are at a complete loss of words and in no control of the situation. This is a typical 'gripped by anxiety' situation. We have all been there and done that. As children, and as first timers, for a lot of things, anxiety is normal. But when this situation becomes recurrent and the anxiety symptoms take over day-to-day activities in a child's life, it has to be dealt with proper help. Let's understand what are high anxiety symptoms in children, so that you are well prepared in case of doubt.

Symptoms of Anxiety in Children
Given below are a few oft-seen anxiety symptoms in children:

• Restlessness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Poor concentration
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Troubles or fights within friend circle
• Trouble sleeping
• Sleep disorders
• Sweating
• Chest Pain
• Chills or hot flashes
• Dizziness
• Numbness
• Shaking
• Feeling choked
• Feeling of being detached from oneself
• Feeling of losing control
• Being in constant fear
• Tingling
• Escaping from situation
• Aversion from activities
• Being anti-social
• Low self-esteem
• Being over critical
• Freezing
• Clinging
• Tantrums

Dealing with Anxiety Symptoms in Children
The symptoms of anxiety in children listed above, differ with the type of anxiety disorder. However, anxiety symptoms in children are similar to the ones mentioned earlier. Let's see what are the types of anxiety disorder symptoms in children and what are the symptoms of anxiety in children.

Social Anxiety Symptoms in Children
Social Anxiety Disorder or SAD in children is usually seen before or at the time of joining school. Children suffering from this disorder are constantly living under a fear, that they will act or speak in an embarrassing manner. SAD is also seen among teenagers as their friend circle changes and they come across different people. The symptoms of anxiety in children seen under SAD are:

• Panic attacks
• Crying
• Tantrums
• Freezing
• Avoidance
• Anxious anticipation
• Distress
• School refusal
• Defiance
• Anger

Separation Anxiety Disorder
A child gets too attached to its parents in the first 18 months to 3 years. Showing symptoms of separation anxiety are considered to be normal during this period. However, when this continues after 3 years of age, it's termed as separation anxiety disorder. A child is likely to experience extreme pangs of anxiety when away from home. The common symptoms of anxiety in children when suffering from separation anxiety are:

• Refusal to going to places all alone (stay overs or camps)
• School Refusal
• Cling on to parents
• Expect parents to go everywhere
• Get extremely homesick
• Have nightmares when staying away from home
• Sleep with a parent or parents

Selective Mutism
Selective mutism makes things worse for the child. In selective mutism, the child refuses to speak in the most important situations. This is often seen in children around the age of 4-8, when they are in the phase of settling down with 'school atmosphere'. In a case of selective mutism, a child will show most of the previously mentioned anxiety symptoms. The anxiety symptoms of children suffering with selective mutism are:

• Exhibit extreme shyness
• Freeze or get totally motionless
• Avoid eye contact
• Exhibit separation anxiety
• Get out of sight

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worrying over various trivial things. This affects children within the age bracket of 6-11 years, as the academic and extra curricular activities begin to mount. The anxiety symptoms in children suffering from generalized anxiety disorder are:

• Fatigue
• Muscle Tension
• Difficulty in breathing
• Sleeplessness
• Irritability
• Destructive behavior
• Poor concentration

Children also suffer from panic disorders, wherein the child may have a panic attack and lose control over his/her actions. Another most important anxiety disorder is specific phobias of animals, darkness, objects, people, heights etc. These anxiety disorders typically exhibit anxiety symptoms in children, which have to be carefully observed and treated immediately. Get in touch with your doctor and deal with it as soon as possible, to ensure a secure and a healthy future for your child.