How to Help a Child With Anxiety

Anxiety disorders in children are quite common, but they often go overlooked, even though many of these disorders are easily treatable. There are numerous ways to treat children's anxiety once you identify the symptoms and bring them to the attention of a licensed medical professional.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit a licensed medical professional upon noticing the signs of children's anxiety. These symptoms can include trouble breathing, rapid heart rate and an inability to focus. Doctors treat children's anxiety in different ways, depending on the type of anxiety disorder involved. One form of treatment comes via psychological treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and behavioral therapies. Doctors often prescribe pharmaceuticals to help treat anxiety in children, any number of which can help treat a variety of different anxiety disorders. Antihistamines, tranquilizers and serotonergic agents are but a few of these medicinal treatments. Consult a doctor to find which, if any, is right for your child.

• 2

  Utilize environmental treatments as a way of therapy for children with anxiety. These can include minor lifestyle changes, such as cutting out caffeine or cutting out/minimizing decongestants and asthma medications. They can also include initiating good sleep habits and reducing stressors that can trigger anxiety.

• 3

  Find a support group during the treatment of your child's anxiety. Many of these resources can be found online, or your physician or nurse can also provide information on support groups.