Treatment of Anxiety Disorder in Children

Anxiety is one of the emotions such as fear, worry, happiness and sadness. It is the state of observing physical and mental changes as a result of anxious thoughts raising blood pressure along with tension. Worrying is normal, like any other emotion.

However, when the state of anxiety increases, it first manifests itself on the body and later on thought and behavior. Persistent restlessness, anxiety, tension, and difficulty concentrating increase. Anxious thoughts prevent meeting daily needs such as sleep. Anxiety disorder occurs when activities in daily life are affected.

What are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder in Children?

In order to understand the anxiety disorder of the individual in childhood, the bodily movements are observed first. There may be changes due to stress and anxiety such as digestive problems, abdominal pain, constipation. Behavioral and bodily movements such as anxiety and worry-induced heart palpitations, constant fatigue, sweating, differences in breathing or self-holding are observed.

In addition to physical and behavioral changes, changes in mental health-related thoughts are also observed. Anxious thoughts about the future, past and present in children directly cause behavioral disorders. It is observed as unwillingness to go to the social environment, unwillingness to go to school, and behaviors disproportionate to their age.

What is the Treatment for Anxiety Disorder in Children?

Therapy methods such as anxiety disorder treatment, play therapy and behavioral therapy are mostly used in children. Medication is also used concurrently in the treatment of anxiety disorder. Drug use is carried out in a controlled manner in the presence of a specialist physician.

Psychoeducation in the treatment of anxiety and anxiety in children, education to improve exposure and social skills is one of the common treatment methods. With this treatment, the emotion and behavior that causes anxiety in the child is observed and the condition of being normal is transferred to the child. Some children are included in the therapy process by giving homework such as keeping a diary and being in an anxiety-provoking environment and observing the results. The age of the child, the problem, the signs of anxiety-provoking things are observed and the therapy process is decided. While the child is under treatment, the parents or the people who care for him are also conscious and the treatment is continued. In such situations, informing those around the child plays an important role.