Anxiety manifests itself differently in each of us. It is important to know that anxiety is an emotion, an external threat that you cannot control, but it can also manifest itself physically as it is an internal condition that you can learn to deal with or learn to deal with. You can learn to trust your anxiety as a loyal partner in becoming the best leader you can be, but anxiety has many associated symptoms, some of which are difficult to talk about. There is also
Although everyone experiences anxiety, which signals that danger or sudden, threatening change is approaching through worry, fear, and alert agitation, anxiety can be an exaggerated and unhealthy response. Children have fears and worries, and may feel sad and hopeless at times.
Fear and worry are typical of children, but persistent or extreme forms of fear and grief may be due to anxiety or depression, and since symptoms primarily involve thoughts and feelings, they may be internalized. Anxiety in early childhood can be triggered for a variety of reasons, with this age group being the most isolated and having less than zero contact with the outside world, making it the most affected post-Covid preschooler. It’s becoming more common.
Because these children had no social interaction with their peers and were unfortunately confined indoors, many children in this age group relied on mobile devices for leisure time, resulting in increased screen time and Overall developmental skills were impacted.By attending kindergarten and going out regularly, children learn the concept of social interaction and become more interactive with the world around them.
Let’s explore some signs to look out for when your child, teenager, or other person is anxious, and see how you can cope at home.
type:
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Suprakash Chaudhary, Professor of Psychiatry and HOD at DY Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Phinpuri, Pune, said that anxiety can be caused by genetic causes and as a result of life stress. said there is He argued that if the problem was serious or persistent, it was best to get a clear diagnosis from a child psychiatrist or psychiatrist. I have.
- separation anxiety – A high level of anxiety after leaving a person or place that makes you feel safe and secure is characteristic of separation anxiety disorder.
- social anxiety – This is the fear of being judged negatively by others in social situations or being embarrassed in public.
- selective mutism – This is a type of anxiety that some children experience, even if they have excellent verbal communication skills in front of close people, they cannot speak in certain places or situations, such as school.
- Phobias – This is an irrational fear and avoidance of certain objects and situations. Phobias are different from other anxiety disorders because they are associated with specific causes.
- panic disorder – They may suffer recurrent episodes of sudden, intense anxiety, accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.
Cause:
Dr Samir Malhotra, Head of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Max Multi-Specialty Center, Panchsheel Park, Delhi, said: Increased emotional expression within the family, parental discord, psychological trauma, disruption of support networks, high expectations, sometimes over-preparedness, excessive mobile phone use, disturbed sleep and wake schedules, excessive fast food associated unhealthy lifestyle, lack of regular exercise/physical sports, overreliance on technology, irritability. ”
Symptoms:
Dr. Suprakash Chaudhary lists early symptoms of anxiety as:
1. Nervous, nervous, unable to sit still.
2. Going to the bathroom repeatedly.
3. I can’t concentrate
4. Difficulty falling asleep.
5. Frequent nightmares
6. I don’t eat often
7. Irritable and irritable.
8. Often on the brink of tears
9. Frequent complaints of abdominal pain and upset stomach
Child psychologist, behavior analyst, Access Conscious practitioner, and owner of Kidzee – Mount Litera Zee School (Powai), Aruna Agarwal, reveals early signs of anxiety: .
- screaming children – Children who yell at social or public gatherings or who withdraw from peers or social groups.
- Speech delay – The child’s anxious behavior, such as crying, hitting, or being unfriendly. This cannot be explained verbally, as the child is dealing with speech delays.
- Seeking parental attention – If the parent is talking to someone on the answering machine, doing something unruly, or constantly asking the parent for small things. These are all signs to look out for.
Adding to the list, Dr. Samir Malhotra noted cold sweaty palms, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, feeling like a butterfly in the stomach, evasive behavior, restlessness, fidgeting, usually in a hurry, very Talks fast, sometimes stutters, fear of heights/flying/closed rooms/darkness, severe exam anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, helplessness, or sometimes irritability.
Dr. Tarun Segar, Director and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Solh Wellness, similarly applies his expertise: Difficulty participating in extracurricular activities, making and retaining friends, and maintaining supportive and flexible relationships within the family. Sometimes anxiety is limited to a generalized feeling of free-floating anxiety. It can also develop into panic attacks and phobias. For example, it is common for young people to feel anxious before a test or on their first day of school. Your child approaches you and says he’s worried. I don’t know the difference in intensity because sometimes I feel anxious. I hope this is the result of regular adjustments such as starting a new school. You assume that everything will resolve itself. Anxiety is often misdiagnosed because it can sometimes manifest itself as physical symptoms like stomach pain, which her teen who experiences frequent stomach pains may not want to go to school. This may be a sign that there is more to it than that. ”
Identifying some signs of anxiety, he listed-
1. I can’t concentrate, I can’t concentrate
2. I can’t sleep, I wake up in the middle of the night with bad dreams
3. Not eating right
4. Becomes easily angry, irritable, or out of control during an outburst.
5. Constantly worrying or having negative thoughts
6. Fidgets and frequent trips to the bathroom
7. Crying all the time
8. Hold on
9. Complaining of having a stomach ache or feeling sick
10. Social anxiety
Dr. Tarun Sagar emphasizes that anxiety disorders vary from teenager to teenager. He points out: In social settings, anxious teenagers may appear dependent, withdrawn, or anxious. They appear overly restrained or overly emotional. They may be preoccupied with worries about losing control and unrealistic concerns about their social abilities. Adolescent anxiety typically centers around conflicts about adolescent body’s changes in how it looks and feels, social acceptance, and independence. Anxiety can make adolescents seem very shy. They may avoid their usual activities or refuse to engage in new experiences. They may protest whenever they are separated from their friends. Or they may engage in risky behavior, drug testing, or impulsive sexual behavior in an attempt to alleviate or deny their fears and worries.
Treatment and Healing:
Dr. Suprakash Chaudhary said: Because alcoholism, depression, or other conditions can have such a strong impact on mental health, treatment of anxiety disorders must wait until the underlying condition is under control. Mmm. Talk to your child about their problems and fears more often without mocking or belittling them. Ask about problems at school, fear of teachers or other staff, or bullying by other students. ”
Child psychologist Aruna Agarwal says that while some cases can be dealt with at home with simple solutions, if your child becomes more anxious as the day goes on, see a pediatrician or child psychologist. She recommended the following treatments.
- start small – Don’t overwhelm your clients. Start small and introduce your child to smaller groups such as playgroups, socials, or just neighborhood kids.
- tell me more- Encourage your child to use words and language to express things. Celebrate small victories.
- Interact frequently – Bring the child to the homes of close relatives and friends, and sensitively inform the host about the child in advance.
- Consult a professional/developmental pediatrician/child psychologist.
Speaking about how anxiety is managed clinically, Dr. Sameer Malhotra advised:
A) Through lifestyle modification: Eating a balanced and healthy diet; Encouraging healthy sleep and wake schedules; Regular sports and yoga; Channeling energy into constructive hobbies; Healthy and balanced parenting; the ability to hear “no” from time to time; rational expectations and avoidance of unhealthy comparisons and competition; promoting healthy communication and expression; and regulated mobile and internet use. Inspire sportsmanship.
B) Correction of the underlying thyroid gland If you have any concerns
c) Counseling and behavioral therapy; family counseling
D) Medication according to standard guidelines
Dr. Tarun Segar, who revealed how to deal with anxiety, said: For example, you can clear your mind by going for a walk instead of sitting at home and worrying. ” Below are some of the healthy options he suggests to ease your daily anxiety.
1. Get plenty of physical activity, pre-teen or teenage sleep, and healthy food and drink.
2. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and other drugs.
3. Avoid unnecessary stress by not procrastinating or being late.
4. Practice breathing, muscle relaxation, or mindfulness techniques.
5. If anxiety bothers you, it is advisable to seek professional help. Consider talking to a mental health professional if:
6. Constantly feeling nervous, anxious, tense, or unable to stop or control worry
7. Anxiety that lasts for weeks, months, or longer
8. Anxiety that interferes with academic, social, or daily activities.
Although it is impossible to know for sure what causes someone to develop an anxiety disorder, there are steps that can be taken if someone experiences anxiety to reduce the severity of symptoms. , counseling and therapy, and an active lifestyle can help keep anxious feelings in check.
1. Relaxation techniques – Relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety and negative thoughts and help manage stress. Common relaxation techniques include abdominal breathing, meditation, listening to calming music, and activities such as yoga and tai chi.
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy – Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy techniques are often effective in dealing with adolescent anxiety disorders. Such an approach helps teens examine anxiety, anticipate likely situations, and understand its impact. This helps young people recognize the exaggerated nature of their fears and develop corrective approaches to the problem. Young people’s active participation usually increases their understanding.
3. Other treatments – In some cases, long-term psychotherapy and family therapy may also be recommended, like ACT. If you struggle with anxiety, it’s important to remember that you have a bright future ahead of you if you get the right treatment. The sooner the problem is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat.
Know that anxiety is treatable!
