Approximately 3% of children in the UK suffer with anxiety disorders, which equates to a third of all diagnosed mental health problems in children. It is very natural for us all to experience signs of anxiety – it is our bodies way of preparing for a stressful challenge ahead and in particular with children, it is a natural part of growing up.
But how do you know if the stress your child is feeling is a normal reaction to the challenges in their life or if it has developed into something more serious? Symptoms that are persistent, that remain for a few weeks or more, which hinder your child in their day to day life and prevent them from developing could all be a sign that the anxiety needs treatment by a professional.
The symptoms of anxiety can be both physical and behavioural:
If you suspect that your child has an anxiety problem then you should not hesitate to get advice from a trained professional as soon as possible. People may put off getting help in a hope that the anxiety will go away on its own accord, perhaps they are afraid they are making a fuss or don’t know who to contact, but if your child has an anxiety problem then it is best to do something about it before it gets worse. Untreated anxiety can prevent children from doing their best at school, can cause stress for the family as a whole and can hinder their development if a child feels unable to engage fully in activities. Anxiety can be treated in a number of ways including talking therapies, CBT and / or medication.
Find out more about childhood anxiety.
If you would like to talk to one of our experts about finding a professional to help with your child’s anxiety please contact us on 0203 326 9160.
Emilie has three main roles at Clinical Partners – managing our NHS Partnerships, developing the services our Clinicians offer and writing and editing web content.
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