Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a disorder that causes excessive fear and worry that interferes with daily life. It’s very normal for children to experience fear and worry like, for example, when your toddler exhibits signs of distress when being dropped off at preschool. 

However, if your child fails to outgrow these normal fears and worries that occur during growth and development, they may begin to have difficulties in school, at home, or during play activities. 

Anxiety is often a symptom of an underlying condition. 

What are anxiety symptoms?

Anxiety symptoms in children may vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder they’re experiencing. The types of anxiety include:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD symptoms in children include fear about the future or bad things happening.

Social anxiety

Being afraid to go to places where there are other people, including school, are symptoms of social anxiety.

Separation anxiety

Separation anxiety refers to fears your child has when they need to be away from you. 

Phobias

Extreme fear of dogs, going to the doctor, or specific situations are signs your child may have a phobia.

Panic disorder

Intense fear that results in shaking, sweating, fainting, or trouble breathing are signs of a panic disorder.

In addition to fear and worry, children with anxiety may also experience physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach pain, or fatigue. Your child may also seem more irritable or angry and have difficulty sleeping. 

What can I expect during an anxiety evaluation?

The team at Solaris Pediatric Therapy has a very thorough evaluation process that includes you and your child. 

During your child’s evaluation, the team evaluates a variety of factors, including your child’s ability to regulate their nervous system, sensory processing abilities, visual system, reflexes, and capacity for social engagement. 

By understanding your child in their totality, the team has a better understanding of what the world looks like to your child, which helps them identify the underlying cause of your child’s anxiety. 

What therapies can help my child’s anxiety?

The team at Solaris Pediatric Therapy develops individualized treatment plans for your child’s anxiety based on the underlying cause. The goal of therapy is to work on calming and regulating your child’s nervous system. 

For anxiety, the team at Solaris Pediatric Therapy uses the Polyvagal Theory guided approach, which provides insight into the connection between your child’s mind and body and how they work together in response to social cues. 

To learn more about the therapeutic approach to helping your child with their anxiety, contact Solaris Pediatric Therapy by phone or request an appointment online today. 

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