Anxiety in children is more common than you think. There are thousands of parents like you searching for help with their anxious child. And it is not always easy to find help. When you have an anxious child, you know what it is like wanting to help your child, but not knowing how. I have had the same problem and I have searched for help until I found it.

First let's have a look at the most common types of anxiety your child may be experiencing. General anxiety disorder is described by doctors as a repeated unrealistic fear that is much more intense than what is considered normal daily anxiety. Your child may worry about school performance, friendship, family, time keeping etc. This anxiety can lead to psychosomatic symptoms such as nausea, stomach aches, headaches or breathing difficulties which can lead to panic. Panic disorder is characterized by recurring panic attacks.

Panic attacks in children can look like a serious medical emergency and can be very frightening for the parents to see a panic attack in their child. Your child may suddenly "out of the blue" become very breathless, shaky, their heart start racing and they may feel like fainting. They may experience tingling in their hands, around the mouth or stomach and may start getting spasms in their muscles due to hyperventilation. It is very frightening to see your child like this and you strongly feel you want to do something about it and help.

Another anxiety disorder you may notice in your child is separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is diagnosed when your child experiences excessive anxiety when separated from mum or dad or other close family member. Symptoms can be similar to generalized anxiety disorder, but usually include excessive crying and other ways of demanding presence of the person.

Social anxiety disorder or a social phobia is a fear of being embarrassed in social situations, for example in the classroom, when speaking in front of the public or while eating in public places. The onset of this disorder is usually around the age of 13 and if left untreated can be carried over to adulthood and restrict the person in life choices, because they will instinctively choose jobs, friends or partners that are less demanding and less attractive to avoid competition.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is another form of anxiety in children or adults and is characterized by intrusive anxiety producing thoughts (obsessions) and as a result of that repetitive behaviours (compulsions) such as checking if the door is locked, repetitive hand washing, counting, putting items in a certain order etc. Child must perform these tasks to avoid significant psychological distress and anxiety. Freeing your child from obsessive thoughts requires an enormous amount of patience and positive thinking and the vicious circle may never be broken without a new approach and professional program for your child.

The Program for the majority of the above described types of anxiety in children is called The Anxiety-Free Child Program.

Anxiety is a normal human response to a perceived danger. It is a part of childhood and in most cases, anxiety in children is temporary. For example a child may experience a separation anxiety when starting school. Or a child experiences an anxiety when left alone in the dark for the first time or after watching a scary film has difficulty sleeping.

This is a normal response to the unknown. Sometimes, however, anxiety in children can persist and become more intense, even after the initial trigger has disappeared. It starts interfering with the child`s life and daily routines such as going to sleep, going to school or talking to other children. It becomes more serious when reassurance and comfort doesn`t make it go away anymore. This is when it is classified as an anxiety disorder in children.

Anxiety disorders are one of the primary mental health problems affecting young children and adolescents today. In the modern world children are subjected to many different stressors and it is important that they have appropriate skills and tools for coping with their anxiety and other difficult emotions.

This site is designed to provide thorough and user-friendly advice about child anxiety and its treatment. Its aim is also to provide direction for those who are unsure about what to do when their child suffers with anxiety and how to help them. So if your child or children demonstrate anxious behaviour and you think they may suffer with anxiety, you are in the right place.

Common symptoms of anxiety in children are increased heart rate, stomach ache which can lead to an ulcer, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, feeling short of breath, tingling in hands and around the mouth. Other signs you may notice are avoiding social activities with other children of the same age, comments about being useless or "stupid", self-critical and self-doubting attitude, irritability and anger outbursts or frequent crying.

If nothing is done at this stage, you may notice your child starts having poor school performance, has difficulty concentrating, making decisions and struggles paying attention (attention deficit - hyperactive or inattentive). Your child may start experimenting with cigarettes and alcohol and even drugs as a replacement for lost self-esteem and self-confidence. Or they may start overeating or eating unhealthy food to "feel better for a while". Your child may become depressed. Self harm is not uncommon.

About 13 in every 100 children and adolescents between 9-17 years experience anxiety, girls more often than boys. Anxiety affects children from as early as three years old; with many different types of anxiety.

For example around the age of three to six, children are anxious about darkness and imaginary creatures. At the age of eight and above, it is mostly an anxiety about social relationships and school performance. If a child experiences an excessive amount of stress and anxiety at this stage, this could lead to an anxiety disorder later in life.

Research shows that the most important clinical point is the benefit of an early diagnosis and treatment. If anxiety remains undiagnosed then complications of anxiety develop, such as depression or substance abuse.

By identifying, diagnosing and treating anxiety disorders in children early, parents can help their child to avoid getting into trouble such as addictions and learning how to cope with difficult situations and stresses, which are part of a normal life.

Here are things you can do for your child to help them overcome their anxiety:

• Pay attention to what they are telling you about their day or their feelings.
• Stay calm when your child is scared to face an anxiety provoking event or situation.
• Praise them for small progress and don`t punish mistakes or lack of progress.
• Be loving, understanding and be there for your child, be someone they trust and they want to come to with their fears and problems.
• Give your child the time they need to learn to become comfortable in difficult situations such as children's parties.
• Be patient, remember you were a child once and you also had to learn your way in life, wasn`t a patient and caring parent what you needed the most when you were a child?

Keep in mind that your child`s anxiety is not a sign of poor parenting. It can be stressful for the whole family though and having a good support network of family and friends is a great step to successful, happy and anxiety free life.

An early treatment of an anxiety helps your child to reach their full potential. Anxiety can be cured and treatment options include education about anxiety and its impact on life, psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy which includes gradual exposure therapy and when necessary, pharmacotherapy.

Commonly diagnosed child anxiety disorders include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Child Separation Anxiety, Social Phobia, Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress and Child Dental Anxiety.