Children experience feelings of nervousness, fear, or worry from time to time; these feelings are part of a normal response to a stressful situation, but when they occur to such an extent that they interfere with normal life, children anxiety disorder may be the underlying cause.
Children anxiety disorder may be manifested by symptoms such as extreme nervousness, inability to concentrate, poor school performance, and physical symptoms like nausea, heart palpitations, headache, shortness of breath, and sweating. Children anxiety disorder can be the result of a recent traumatic or high-stress event such as a move to a new home and school, divorce of the parents, death of a pet or a loved one, or it can have no obvious environmental or emotional basis at all.
Anxiety disorder in children is treated most successfully the earlier treatment begins; treating anxiety may include a combination of talk therapy, positive reinforcement, and in some cases medications.
Symptoms of children anxiety disorder:
Anxiety disorder can be difficult to recognize, because symptoms are often attributed to other factors (like Social anxiety). Signs of extreme nervousness and restlessness, an inability to concentrate, poor school performance, difficulty relating to peers, irritability, and physical complaints such as nausea, upset stomach and frequent headaches may indicate an anxiety disorder.
Causes of children anxiety disorder:
Medical researchers have not yet fully uncovered the causes behind anxiety disorder. There is some suggestion of a hereditary link, as anxiety and other mental disorders tend to run in families, and studies have located small differences in areas of the brain that influence anxiety.
How to diagnose children anxiety disorder?
Anxiety diagnosis is based mainly on the observations by the doctor and parents of a child's behavior. While there are no laboratory tests that can pinpoint anxiety disorder, certain tests may be conducted to rule out another underlying medical cause for the symptoms.
Common categories of children anxiety disorder:
Some of the most common types of childhood anxiety disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias (irrational and overwhelming fears), separation anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder,. These conditions usually affect children between the ages of 6 and 11.
Treatment: Treatment of anxiety in children is more effective the sooner it is addressed after the appearance of symptoms. The most common form of treatment for children anxiety disorder is psychotherapy and teaching positive reinforcement techniques; medicines may also be prescribed for children with anxiety.

A Case of separation anxiety:
Master Rahul, aged 9 yrs, studies in 3rd standard.
The child was apparently normal before he was brought for the consultation. He started developing the following symptoms when the school reopened after vacations.
Fear of being alone.
Difficulty in sleeping & he gets up frightened from sleep after which he is unable to sleep.
Frequently complaints of headache & stomach ache.
He refuses to go to school without the mother. Earlier he used to go in an auto with his friends.
Throws tantrum when mother returns home after dropping him at school.
Complaints of loose stools & attacks of breathlessness accompanied by anxiety.
Moves anxiously from place to place. Restless.
A recent traumatic event had occurred in the family where mother was hospitalized for a week.
The following line of treatment was adopted:
• Psychotherapy: This helped the child learn to understand his feelings and tolerate the separation to a more natural degree.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This taught the child to change the way he thinks about separation, allowing him to respond more appropriately to natural separation from the mother.
• Medication: Homoeopathic medicine (Ars Alb 200) was given. He recovered well with treatment. There were some brief recurrences of the anxiety, but the coping skills learned through treatment were effective at dealing with the problem when it came up the next time, making each instance shorter and more manageable until the anxiety disappeared completely. Child’s self esteem was strengthened through positive reinforcement. The whole family supported and helped the child as he is undergoing treatment.
Dr. Nahida M.Mulla.M.D (Hom) MACH
PRINCIPAL.
Professor of Repertory & PG Guide.
HOD Paediatric OPD.
Child Counsellor.
A.M.Shaikh Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & PG Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Belgaum - 590010
E-Mail: drnahida_mulla@yahoo.com
Mobile: 09448814660.