Ways to Help Children With Anxiety

Many children suffer from anxiety in one form or another. There are problems with generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, forms of panic disorders and social anxiety. When a child suffers from anxiety, it can make going to school a difficult task. It can make being with friends and in social situations frightening. There are several treatment options for children that can help your child overcome anxiety.

Herbs

• Herbs help with many different medical conditions including anxiety in children. One herb that helps relax you and even acts as a mild sedative is valerian root. It calms the nerves, and helps keep control of the fight-or-flight response to stress. It can also be used as a natural sleep aid when anxiety interrupts sleep.

  Chamomile is also known for its calming affect. It works to reduce anxiety in hyperactive children. It relieves nervous tension and also aids in more restful sleep. It has also been found to reduce physical side effects of long-term anxiety. Some of the long-term affects are digestive and stomach problem as well as restlessness. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bed is recommended to help calm your nerves for a better night's sleep. If you are feeling anxious during the day, drink a cup to help relax you.

  Lemon balm has been found to reduce heart palpitations as well as lower blood pressure and even alleviate headaches. It has also been found to help reduce feelings of nervous tension as well as intestinal problems related to anxiety. For anxiety take 300 to 600mg a day

Therapy

• Trained therapists can often help children with anxiety disorders. They are trained professionals who have the ability to offer tools for dealing with and living with anxiety. Therapists can teach your child how to diffuse a situation where they feel anxiety building. They can teach your child how to recognize situations and circumstances that make them anxious as well as how to handle them. And they can teach your child how to avoid situations that are anxiety-provoking. Therapists also work to teach your child how to deal with their fears so that they can overcome them and prevent them from creating a sense of anxiety.

  Depending on the type of therapist you choose for your child, some therapist or professionals have the ability to prescribe anti-anxiety medications. Sometimes a child may need a combination of treatments such as therapy sessions, relaxation therapy and anti-anxiety medication.

Relaxation Therapy

• Anxiety can make you very tense. It can be hard to relax your mind, your body and muscles during an anxiety attack. Your child may benefit from relaxation therapy to help them learn tools to keep themselves relaxed and calm.

  Relaxation therapy trains you to use breathing techniques to calm yourself. There are also muscle relaxation exercises that help you reduce physical and mental tension. Many people believe that body massages and listening to relaxation music are all they need. These are not necessarily considered relaxation therapy alone, but they can help in the process.