Some anxiety is normal -- like a fear of separation or the distress associated with doing something new for the first time. But other types of anxiety can be an indicator of an underlying anxiety disorder.
That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize normal anxiety in children -- and to know the difference between healthy anxiety and an actual anxiety disorder. Here’s what you need to know.
According to Worry Wise Kids, all children experience some anxiety in the form of worry, apprehension, dread, fear or distress. This is to be expected. After all, childhood is all about experiencing new things and learning to adapt to them.
However, kids can be secretive. That’s why it’s important to know what actually causes your child’s anxiety. Worry Wise Kids advises parents to do three things to both recognize and help kids deal with anxiety.
The first thing is to accept what your child is feeling. While concerns may sound silly to a parent, they are real to a child. So don’t dismiss concerns and shove them under the rug.