Many individuals don’t think of mental illness in children. However, mental illnesses such as anxiety can manifest in children at incredibly young ages. If your child exhibits any of these common signs of anxiety, it may be good to speak to a doctor for more information.
Lack of Appetite
When your child experiences anxiety, it tends to occupy all their thoughts. Whatever situation is stressing them out is the only thing their brain can focus on. This can distract your children from their natural hunger cues they can usually pay attention to. However, anxiety also manifests itself in physical symptoms, one of which is stomach issues. Have you ever heard the term “stomach in knots”? This is one of the common ailments of individuals who suffer from anxiety. During this time, even the thought of food can make them nauseated. This symptom may manifest itself most before big events such as the morning of the first day of school. If you notice your child has a lack of appetite before potentially stressful events, they may suffer from anxiety.
Teeth Grinding
Another physical symptom that accompanies anxiety is the tensing of muscles throughout the body. The shoulders and jaw are common areas that many individuals keep clenched without even realizing it. Clenching your jaw, and continuing to do so while you sleep, can lead to grinding your teeth. Many children that grind their teeth do so at night, making it difficult to notice. The best ways to tell whether your child grinds their teeth are to listen while they’re sleeping, or see if they complain about a sore jaw after waking up. Continually grinding your teeth can lead to the fracturing or loosening of your teeth, so it’s important to find a solution for the problem before those issues can occur. If your child grinds their teeth, their dentist can fit them for a mouth guard that prevents them from grinding their teeth when they sleep.
Difficulty Sleeping
Individuals who suffer from anxiety tend to have a lot of difficulty sleeping at night. Because of all the worries and thoughts that are constantly plaguing them, the quiet contemplative time at night can feel overwhelming. They could end up being up with their thoughts for hours, getting more and more anxious. If your child has a lot of difficulty falling asleep, it could be due to anxiety. One of the best ways to remedy this is to work with them to develop a calming, soothing night time routine. This can help them relax and destress before bed.
Anxiety is a common mental illness that plagues millions of people around the world. Individuals with anxiety may experience heightened levels of stress and other uncomfortable symptoms. Pay attention to see if your children exhibit any of these possible symptoms of anxiety, and consult a doctor for more information.
Having a furry companion can sometimes help a child with their anxiety. Check out this article on what you should pay attention to when shopping for a dog!
Kommentare