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Anxiety Disorders
This type of behavior disorder involves excessive worrying that is out of proportion for a present situation and negatively effects the person's life. Symptoms can come on suddenly or gradually build over time. Symptoms can include paranoia, feeling out of control or overwhelmed, and panic attacks. http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-disorders.html# |
Six common anxiety disorders that children can have are:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - excessive worrying about school, family members, and other things in their lives; physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, and tiredness
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - excessively preoccupying thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions to try and relieve that stress (compulsions)
Phobias - intense fears of things or situations that are not very dangerous, cause the individual to avoid this thing at almost all costs
Social Anxiety - anxiety triggered by social situations or speaking in front of others
Panic Attacks - episodes of anxiety that can occur for no reason, symptoms of which include; racing heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, or tingling feelings
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - anxiety caused by a traumatic past experience; experience flashbacks, nightmares, fear, and avoiding event that caused the stress
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-disorders.html#
Generalized Anxiety Disorder - excessive worrying about school, family members, and other things in their lives; physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension, and tiredness
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - excessively preoccupying thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions to try and relieve that stress (compulsions)
Phobias - intense fears of things or situations that are not very dangerous, cause the individual to avoid this thing at almost all costs
Social Anxiety - anxiety triggered by social situations or speaking in front of others
Panic Attacks - episodes of anxiety that can occur for no reason, symptoms of which include; racing heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, or tingling feelings
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - anxiety caused by a traumatic past experience; experience flashbacks, nightmares, fear, and avoiding event that caused the stress
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-disorders.html#
In the classroom, anxiety can cause inattention. A child might have a hard time focusing on an activity because they are busy thinking about something that is worrying them. Anxious kids might act out when they don't know how to handle their feelings. They might repetitively ask the same questions because they are seeking reassurance. Often they'll avoid eye contact and try to avoid the thing that is making them nervous, like someone asking them a question. Anxiety can make kids second guess themselves and be unable to share what they are thinking. They can be very self critical and never think what they accomplish is good enough.
"...it might look...like they are uninterested or underachieving, but the opposite might be true. Sometimes kids avoid things because they are afraid of making a mistake or being judged."
http://childmind.org/article/anxiety-in-the-classroom/
"...it might look...like they are uninterested or underachieving, but the opposite might be true. Sometimes kids avoid things because they are afraid of making a mistake or being judged."
http://childmind.org/article/anxiety-in-the-classroom/
To help anxious children you can try the following:
- Talking to them one-on-one versus in front of a group
- Routine and certainty in the schedule
- Provide them with opportunities to share about topics they are confident about
- Group them with other kids they can connect with
- Build up their confidence in a sincere way
- Allow them to take a break from a task if they are getting too worked-up