Help for Child Anxiety Anxiety in children may be managed in a variety of ways. Recognizing child anxiety disorders is the first step. Methods used in treating child anxiety may be conventional (allopathic) or involve a more holistic approach. Conventional Medical Treatments for Childhood Anxiety When treating child anxiety it is important that your doctor do a full medical examination in order to exclude physical causes unrelated to anxiety. This will involve a medical consultation as well as certain tests – for example blood tests. The conventional or allopathic approach to treating child anxiety is to treat it with prescription medication to relieve the symptoms of anxiety as well as tricyclic or SSRI antidepressants to treat the condition from more long term point of view. In severe cases, especially when there are high levels of restlessness, doctors will prescribe medication which has been intended to treat psychosis. A combination of these drugs may also be prescribed. Doctors may also refer your child to a psychologist for assessment and therapy. Be sure to research the options thoroughly before deciding what is best for your child. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for doctors to prescribe high schedule psychiatric drugs as a first option after recognizing child anxiety disorders. Before agreeing to this course of action, make sure that you read up on the side effects and potential for addiction of the drugs your doctor is recommending and seek a second opinion if you are not happy with the advice you are getting. Many children end up taking a cocktail of high schedule drugs in order to deal with the side effects of the medication that was first prescribed. Considering the fact that there are safer and equally viable alternatives, it is not necessary for children to be subjected to this (see below for more information). Holistic Approaches Research has shown that a combination of treatment interventions has the best chance of success in the treatment of anxiety conditions. Here are some more alternatives to investigate: Self-Help Techniques There are a number of books available for parents with anxious children. These can be especially helpful in teaching parents strategies to assist their anxious child while promoting positive parenting techniques that help build confidence and good self image. Play Therapy Play therapy with a qualified psychologist can be very beneficial to a child struggling with anxiety. Through the power of play, children often re-enact their fears and anxieties and are able to come to solutions and happy endings for their own problems. Play therapy is also a useful tool in communicating with young children to determine the root cause of the anxiety as they play out specific themes. Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies There are a number of herbal and homeopathic remedies which may assist your child in the struggle against anxiety. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, herbal and homeopathic remedies can help bring your child peace of mind in a gentle, natural way and can be just as effective as the allopathic drugs, without the risk of side effects or addiction. Some commonly recommended remedies include Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort), Passiflora incarnata, Scuttelaria laterifolia (Scullcap), as well as carefully formulated homeopathic remedies. When using herbal remedies in conjunction with prescription allopathic drugs, be sure that you discuss this with your doctor or health care professional. Also remember that not all natural remedies are suitable for children and those that are need to be formulated to certain therapeutic standards in order to be effective and safe. Source your natural remedies from a reputable company to avoid problems! More Information on Child Anxiety Anxiety as a Symptom If you do feel that your child’s anxiety is not age-appropriate or out of the normal range, seek a professional opinion as one of the following disorders or medical conditions may be the underlying cause: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Specific Phobia Separation Anxiety Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Learning Disorder Depression Hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism Hypoglycemia Vestibular or inner-ear disorders Tips for Parents Encourage your child to discuss his/her fears with you. Children who are encouraged to talk about their concerns and feelings, will feel comforted and less alone. By listening to your child, you may also discover what the underlying problem is and therefore find ways to help. Suggest that your child write a story or draw a picture of scary things, and look for clues to help you understand his fears better. Reassure and comfort your child. Children need lots of hugs and assurance that they are safe and understood. It is important to acknowledge their fears as being real to them and not trivialize their feelings. What children fear may seem silly to you, but that doesn’t make the emotion any less real. Watch out for your own anxieties and worries. In some cases, anxiety is a learnt response and children may be picking up on your tensions. You are your child’s best model for behavior! Teach your child relaxation techniques like deep breathing during anxious moments, counting to 10 or self-soothing statements. These methods can help to empower your child and will provide the inner confidence needed to overcome the fears. Routines and plenty of warning before change can go a long way to making your child feel more secure and less anxious. Explain new situations in advance in a simple, friendly manner. (Try role playing to prepare for upcoming situations) Remind your child of old fears that they overcame. This will provide the courage and confidence to face current fears. Always praise children’s efforts and successes when they do confront these anxieties. Do not accommodate your child’s fears. If your child fears something, don’t purposefully avoid it as this will reinforce the need for escape and confirm the ‘reality’ of the danger. However, DO reassure your child and try to help him or her through the situation successfully

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