If you hear the term “anxiety disorder”, there’s a good likelihood that you picture an adult who is unable to cope with the stress in his or her life. Unfortunately, the fact is that children are also susceptible to this condition. In fact, childhood anxiety disorder is just as common as anxiety attacks in adults.

The life of a child often seems enviously stress free. But the truth is that children face many pressures in their lives, particularly in today’s society where they are required to participate in numerous extra curricular activities, do well in school and spend time with family and friends. Indeed, social anxiety in children is a common problem. They might not have a stressful job to go to each day, but their lives are still full of demands to excel.

Another main contributor to childhood anxiety disorder concerns their situation in the home. For instance, if one of the parents is abusive, either verbally or physically, the child will experience extreme anxiety over the fear of being hurt or lashed out at verbally for any reason whatsoever. Anxiety in children can also be the result of the parents’ marital difficulties or divorce. In fact, any type of radical change in the home can trigger anxiety attacks in children.

Yet it is important to be aware that anxiety in children can occur simply due to inherited traits. For instance, if anxiety disorders are common among extended family members, the likelihood is higher that a child will develop this disorder too.

What can be done about childhood anxiety disorder? The first step is to visit your doctor to rule out medical causes. If the problem appears to be a genetic condition, your doctor will advise you if medication is warranted. This will involve some blood samples and other tests. Natural remedies such as MindSoothe Jr. may also be a good option for regulating your child’s mood. Your doctor will also be able to recommend a treatment program, which will likely include scheduling a session with a counselor. If the child is attending school, the school guidance counselor might be able to help with the situation.

In some cases, a child who gets good marks in school will go through anxiety because he or she wants to be the best. These children are overachievers, and will settle for nothing less than an A-plus. For kids like these, it’s important that they learn to balance their lives and focus on things beyond their achievements. Although good grades are important, if the child is focusing on schoolwork to the exclusion of anything else, then there’s a problem. Counseling is usually the best treatment for this kind of situation.

• Dealing with Social Anxiety in Children
• Managing Anxiety Attacks
• Mental Anxiety Disorder: Getting Irrational Fears Under Control
• Strategies to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Your Life
• Counseling for Anxiety: It Works!