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Remedies for Children's Anxiety

Children's anxiety is a blanket term for a group of disorders that cause a child to be afraid, worried or nervous to the point that they can no longer function normally. As this series of disorders occurs at a very important developmental time, it is a very serious problem that can have significant impact on the child's life as he or she grows, and if left untreated can develop into very serious disorders later in life

  1. Medicine

    • Because of the extreme impact a child's physical health has on his or her health for the rest of their life, most mood-altering medications are eschewed in all but the most serious cases. In order to treat a child's anxiety issues without resorting to medications that may have serious and aggregating health concerns and side-effects, individuals may be advised to turn to alternative remedies.

      According to Peacehealth.org, homeopathic treatments like Lycopodium and Pulsatilla are especially effective in the case of children. If natural remedies prove ineffective, prescription medications prescribed by a doctor may be resorted to, but as is always the case, dosages and health concerns may influence the decision.

    Psychotherapy

    • According to Psychologist Michael Conner, parents may have an especially difficult time learning about their child's anxiety issues because their role as parent may cause their children to be avoidant in sharing their troubles. Therefore, a licensed psychologist can fill an essential role by giving the child a comfortable, nurturing environment and an understanding ear to which the child can speak.

      In addition to providing the child therapy and making them feel better, the psychologist can also act as an intermediary with the child's parents, giving them insight into how their child is doing and advising them on the best courses of action to help the child improve in their interactions. Programs that are structured to build the child's confidence are especially effective at treating anxiety disorders, and Conner states that all psychotherapy builds on four principles: prolonged exposure, modeling, contingency management, and self-management.

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