Anxiety is a feeling accompanied by anxious thoughts, a feeling of tension and an increase in blood pressure, and various changes are observed in the body. Anxiety is one of many emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger and fear, and being anxious is a very normal reaction. When anxiety increases , the symptoms increase primarily physically, as well as at the level of thought and behavior . Restlessness, intense anxiety, tension, difficulty concentrating, an uncontrollable increase in worrying thoughts, sleep (nightmares, night terrors) and appetite problems are frequently observed. As a result of the individual’s functionality in daily life being negatively affected, anxiety symptoms can become an anxiety disorder.
Fear or Anxiety?
Imagine walking down the street and suddenly a predator appears before you. Your reaction at that moment is not just fear. Your heart rate increases, blood flow increases, you start breathing faster, and blood flows to your legs. Your brain then calls you into action. Its response is clear: Run!
In times of real danger, one of the brain’s alarm systems, the “Flight or Fight” system, is activated. There are two options: To flee from a sudden danger or to fight the existing danger. Another possible reaction is to freeze.
Fear is a vital emotion that is automatically activated in the face of a “real” danger and is inherent in human nature. It provides precautions and protection in times of danger that threatens or is likely to threaten security. The same activity that occurs during fear also occurs during “anxiety”. The mind starts to act “as if there is a real danger”. This time, there is no predator approaching you in the middle of the street, but there are only five minutes left until the end of an important exam regarding your future. At that very moment, the “alarm system” is activated. This stimulation in the brain activates people not only physically, but also at the level of thought and emotion. Observing anxiety, which has the feature of warning, protecting and activating the individual against dangers, every day or at many moments of the day means that the “alarm system” is activated at all times. This situation, which is quite tiring and negatively affects functionality, can turn into an anxiety disorder when observed more frequently.
For example, the sound of an explosion while walking down the street may cause a person to be startled, or the anxiety felt when starting a new job is quite normal. However, in the case of an anxiety disorder, these reactions are intensified and are not specific to the situation. The observed symptoms negatively affect the individual’s life and make his life difficult in many ways.
Anxiety Disorder Observed in Childhood
Anxiety disorders in children usually manifest themselves with physical symptoms: Gastrointestinal problems (digestion, stomach ache, constipation, etc.), heart palpitations, fatigue, sweating, changes in breathing, and squeezing. In addition to physical symptoms, changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are also observed. Anxious thoughts about the past, present, or future can lead to behavioral problems in children: Not wanting to go to school, reluctance to participate in social activities, preferring to stay home instead of behaving in accordance with age, etc.
Let’s Create Your Appointment Together
Let’s choose the right specialist for you together.
Children can show symptoms of anxiety in many different ways:
Repetitive Behavioral Patterns Focused on the Body:
Reactions such as hair pulling (trichotillomania), nail biting, biting the inside of the lip/cheek, teeth clenching, and face picking are behavioral reactions observed in relation to the body.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder :
It may be accompanied by anxious thoughts about many subjects, not just one specific area: “What if I get sick? What if I get cancer? What if something happens to my parents? What if they can’t pick me up from school? What if a thief breaks into our house? What if I don’t get a good grade on an exam?” In such cases, the child may experience intense restlessness, anxiety, anger, tension, and in some cases, feelings of shame and guilt. When such thoughts and feelings are experienced intensely, the child may experience behavioral reactions such as angry outbursts, cracking their knuckles, difficulty concentrating, refusing to study at school, or excessive studying.
Panic Disorder :
Panic disorder includes physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, dizziness, rapid breathing, and feeling like you are about to faint, accompanied by feelings such as anger, fear, anxiety, and helplessness. When such thoughts and feelings are dominant, the child may avoid uncomfortable environments/situations in order to relax. Symptoms such as school refusal, truancy, and not wanting to go to the place where the panic feeling occurred may be observed.
Social Anxiety/Social Anxiety:
It is observed as intense fear and anxiety experienced in social environments. Sweating, stomach ache, redness of the face/ears, trembling, and a feeling of tension may be accompanied by shameful thoughts: “I will be a disgrace, everyone will laugh at me, if I slip up everyone will make fun of me, they will not like me, I look stupid, I will say something stupid.” The child may avoid speaking in front of groups and meeting new people because of anxiety about his/her own performance.
Specific Phobias:
It is a state of intense anxiety and fear experienced against a specific object (plane, etc.), animal (spider, dog, etc.) or situation (height, crowd, elevator, etc.). In the face of the phobic object/situation, physical reactions such as increased heart rate, trembling, numbness, rapid breathing, and sweating are observed; the child tends to avoid the phobic situation/object. Crying and hugging the parent are among the frequently observed reactions at such moments.
Treatment of Anxiety Disorder in Childhood
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and other therapy types are frequently used in the treatment of anxiety disorders . In addition to psychotherapy, medical treatment can also be applied simultaneously. It is very important that medications used for anxiety disorders are used under the supervision of a physician.
In the psychotherapy process, methods such as psychoeducation, social skills training, and exposure are the main techniques used to cope with anxiety disorders. In addition, by noticing the anxiety-provoking event and establishing a connection with the thought and feeling that passes through the mind at that moment, the effect of these thoughts and feelings on behavior is conveyed to the child/youth. In some cases, homework assignments such as keeping a daily record or specifically exposing oneself to the anxiety-provoking situation also accompany the therapy process. The child’s age, complaint, and severity of symptoms shape the therapy process. During this period, studies are also conducted with parents/caregivers.
