All children have worries, but for some kids, anxiety becomes the “boss,” dictating what they can do and when. Some children with anxiety present as quiet and shy or perfectionistic. Other children become emotionally dysregulated and look as though they are angry, throwing ‘tantrums’ when things don’t go as planned. Children with anxiety are more likely to experience tummy aches and headaches. Young children may not want to leave their parents’ side. At its most extreme, anxiety can cause children to stop talking or to obsessively worry and act in ways that can harm themselves and others.
How will having an assessment help my child?
Knowing the type of anxiety a child is coping with opens up different avenues for evidence based treatments. Treatment for a child with social anxiety is going to look very different than treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder. Without treatment, both disorders can be devastating. Parenting a child with Anxiety is not easy. Sometimes, traditional parenting techniques can actually increase a child’s anxiety by mistake. It is really important to have a clear plan for both parent and child in dealing with a worry moment because children with anxiety respond best when they know what to expect.
Depression in children can look different than depression in adults. Children tend to have more irritability versus sadness. It can be hard to pinpoint a loss of interest in children because their interests can shift frequently (which is completely normal). Individuals experiencing depression often feel hopeless and helpless. When a child begins receiving parental support and therapy for depression, it can help them to feel like there is hope and that they are not alone.