- posted: Mar. 02, 2023
You want your child to live a calm, happy, peaceful life, but sometimes stress can creep in, causing anxiety. If your child is anxious, your pediatrician can help. The pediatricians at Southwest Children’s Clinic in West Jordan, UT, offer comprehensive children’s medical care, including diagnosis and treatment of anxiety.
Occasional periods of anxiety are normal, even for children. However, if your child is frequently anxious, it’s possible your child may have a treatable anxiety disorder.
So, how can you tell if your child might have an anxiety disorder? According to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, an anxiety disorder is when a child does not outgrow fears and worries, or when fears and worries interfere with school, home, or play.
These are just a few of the common signs your child might have an anxiety disorder:
- Fear of separation from you
- Fear of meeting new people
- Fear of experiencing new activities
- Fear of going to new places
- Fear of going to school
- Fear of social activities
If you notice any of the signs listed above, you can help by teaching your child some coping skills to deal with anxiety, including:
- Self-soothing–using deep breathing techniques, guided imagery, or distraction
- Calming behaviors–listening to music, drawing, or painting
- Fun activities–putting together puzzles, playing games, or getting some exercise
- Talking it out–discussing why they are anxious, and that the situation is only temporary
- Writing it down–journaling emotions and what causes them
- Grounding–counting breaths, counting numbers, describing things your child sees, hears, or smells
Your pediatrician can provide effective treatment when your child has an anxiety disorder, including individual and family counseling, medication, and more. To learn more about anxiety in children and how your pediatrician can help, call the pediatricians at Southwest Children’s Clinic in West Jordan, UT. You can reach them in the office by calling (801) 563-1975, so call today.
