Anxiety in Children vs. Teens: Symptoms Treatments

One of the most common mental illnesses in the United States are anxiety disorders. Despite their prevalence, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding these mental health conditions leading to misdiagnosis and improper treatment.

Anxiety is not just something experienced by adults. Kids and teens can also develop anxiety. Sometimes this illness can be even more complicated to deal with because of age. The symptoms of anxiety in children are different than the symptoms in adults. Some treatment options are better suited for children and teens including anxiety medication for teens and younger children if needed. Take a look at what you need to know about anxiety in children vs. teens and what you can do to help your children with anxiety disorder.

Do Anxiety Symptoms in Teens & Children Differ?

It is normal for children and teens to feel anxious from time to time. But how can you tell if your child’s anxiety is a normal part of growing up or something more? Sometimes the only way to find out is by talking with your pediatrician because there is variability in anxiety symptoms. However, there are common signs and symptoms you can look for to determine if you need to take further action.

Young children are focused on issues related to the world around them. They may have symptoms of significant anger issues and tantrums and frequent crying episodes with no explanation. Concentration difficulties, issues with sleep, fidgetiness or often complaining of feeling ill can all be signs your child has issues with anxiety.

Although signs and symptoms of anxiety for your teen can be similar, there are some differences and additional challenges that you may face. Teens are more focused on concerns regarding themselves and how others perceive them. Unfortunately, anxiety issues at this age may be more difficult to identify as teens are known to hide their feelings and thoughts. However, there are some signs you can look for to determine if anxiety might be an issue. These signs include substance abuse, sudden drop in grades or other school performance, withdrawal from social events, issues with sleep, need for constant reassurance, and irritability.

If you think your child may have an anxiety disorder, there are some effective treatments that work best when started as early as possible.

Treating Your Child’s Anxiety According to Their Age

It is essential to tailor your child’s anxiety treatment according to their age. For younger children, this may involve using simple techniques like teaching them how to use deep breathing to calm down. There is also medication and natural remedies for children. Check the Brillia for children reviews for more information.

For older children and teens, cognitive behavioral therapy may be more effective in helping them understand and manage their anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy includes recognizing the thoughts that create negative feelings and then replacing those thoughts with a new thought that is less negative. Along with this, a natural anxiety medication for teenager may help.

For many people with anxiety disorders, including kids and teens, medication and natural remedies can be an essential part of the recovery process. Research your options and decide what is best for your children so they can have some relief.