Exploring the Factors that Cause Anxiety in Children
Anxiety is a common emotion experienced by everyone, including children. However, when it starts to interfere with a child’s daily life, it becomes a real concern. As parents we can feel somewhat helpless and a little lost at times because anxiety manifested in myriad ways can be confounding.
Anxiety in children is essentially a response to perceived threats or imagined threats and of course real threats (so it is a natural thing). It’s a normal part of growing up, indicating that children are beginning to understand the world around them and their limits. But when these fears or worries become too intense, persist longer than usual, or disrupt their life for more than six months, it could indicate an anxiety disorder - it's important that you are able to get help from folks you trust in your community because in my view treating anxiety necessitates 'the tribe' / 'the village' so to speak and in this day and age sometimes we have to curate one for ourselves.
Causes of Anxiety in Children
Several factors can contribute to anxiety in children:
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Biological Factors: Genetics and biology does play a role sure but it's not the whole story. Children with a family history of anxiety or depression are more likely to develop these disorders - it's not just because of genes but the patterns of behaviour and modelling of behaviour that can be passed on - like osmosis. Certain temperaments, like being more sensitive, can also make a child more prone to anxiety in it's more unhelpful forms.
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Environmental Factors: A child’s environment can significantly impact their anxiety levels. Exposure to violence, trauma, or stressful situations can trigger anxiety obviously - thus, again, we emphasise the importance of community. For instance, a child might start to feel anxious after moving to a new place, changing schools, or experiencing a traumatic event.
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Parental Influence: Parents’ behavior can also contribute to a child’s anxiety. Overprotective parenting can hinder children from developing problem-solving skills, leading to anxiety. Parents who suffer from anxiety or depression can sometimes unknowingly pass these traits onto their children as previously mentioned. Of course, this is not deliberate. We care for our kids. We want them to be free from pain but sometimes we inadvertently increase their sensitivity to pain when we block them from experiencing some pain. I hope that makes sense - (i'm not telling you to purposely expose them to noxious stimulus!)
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Social and Academic Pressure: In today’s competitive world, children often face pressure to excel academically and fit in socially. This burden of expectations can lead to anxiety. Additionally, experiences like bullying or peer rejection can also trigger anxiety. We have these services now that i sometimes see on LinkedIn placing envy on the viewer to 'get their kids' into Ivy League schools...as if this were important. What you do, or where you are IS not who You are and does not reflect your value. HOWever, if you want to pursue personally edifying goals which involves going to an Ivy League school, then go for it!
Common Triggers of Anxiety in Children
Anxiety triggers can vary greatly among children. Some common ones we might be familiar with are...
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Separation Anxiety: This is a normal stage of development that usually improves by the time children start preschool. However, if it persists into the school years and makes children fearful of leaving home or getting lost, it becomes a problem. (check out my FREE resource here https://www.huddlewisdom.com/guideschoolrefusal which I think could help)
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Specific Phobias: Children might develop extreme fears about specific things, like storms, clowns, or even everyday objects. These fears are often disproportionate to the actual threat. (check out the blog post here about using 'step-ladders' to tackle phobia https://www.huddlewisdom.com/blog/anxietyladder)
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Social Anxiety: Some children might develop a strong fear of being judged or rejected in social situations. They might avoid activities like public speaking, performing, or interacting with others at school.
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Noise or Object: Certain noises or objects might trigger anxiety in some children. For example, a child might develop a fear of loud noises or certain animals.
Approaches to Help Manage Anxiety
There are several techniques that can be effective in managing childhood anxiety (check out the blog posts in www.huddlewisdom.com/blog or go to the podcast to get a lot more depth:
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Encouragement: Encouragement helps children see possibilities and believe in their ability to overcome challenges. This technique can boost a child’s self-efficacy and foster a positive outlook.
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Understanding the Child’s Background: Understanding a child’s early memories, family dynamics, and major life events can provide insights into their core beliefs and coping strategies. This understanding can help identify the root causes of anxiety and develop targeted interventions.
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Role-Playing: Asking the child to act as if they were already the person they want to become or had already overcome a specific challenge allows children to experience different behaviors, emotions, and outcomes, which can help bring about change.
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Social Engagement: Encouraging children to participate in social activities and fostering a sense of belonging can help reduce anxiety.
Prevention vs. Cure
Childhood anxiety is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach. The village remember? The philosophy of ‘prevention is better than cure’ is particularly applicable here. By focusing on prevention, we can equip children with the tools they need to manage their anxiety effectively. Let’s delve deeper into the preventive measures:
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Building Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. It’s a crucial skill that can help children navigate stressful situations. Teaching children coping skills such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, and positive thinking can empower them to handle anxiety more effectively. For instance, problem-solving skills can help children identify solutions to their worries, while emotional regulation can help them manage their feelings in a healthy way. Positive thinking, on the other hand, can help them maintain an optimistic outlook, even in the face of adversity.
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Creating a Supportive Environment: A supportive environment is one where children feel safe, understood, and validated. This can be achieved through open communication, where children are encouraged to express their feelings without fear of judgment. Validating their feelings means acknowledging their emotions and reassuring them that it’s okay to feel anxious. Providing a neutral space (I don't like the word 'safe' space) for children to express themselves can significantly reduce anxiety levels and foster a sense of security.
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Early Intervention: Early intervention involves identifying and addressing anxiety symptoms before they escalate into more severe disorders. This might involve seeking professional help, such as therapy or counseling, at the first signs of persistent anxiety. Therapists can provide children with strategies to manage their anxiety and can work with parents and teachers to create a supportive environment for the child.
To learn more about these approaches I invite you to check out my course 'Empathic Guidance for Anxious Children' and the sister course 'Connecting with Anxious Children'.
In conclusion, understanding the causes and triggers of anxiety in children is the first step towards helping them manage their fears. Community, connection, courage and humility goes a very long way.
Prevention through early intervention and building resilience is often more effective than treating anxiety after it has become severe. Patience, understanding, and a supportive environment is so so important in helping a child overcome anxiety.
The journey to overcoming anxiety is a marathon, not a sprint, and every small step counts. Don't be shy about seeking professional help if you think your child might be suffering from anxiety.
