School Children and their Everyday Worries  

Even though many adults may think that being a child means having a happy life, things are not the way they think. Children have a lot of reasons to be stressed, such as doing their homework and performing well in class, making new friends and fitting in new environments.  

Each activity in which children are involved requires a lot of attention and focusing from their part, which may lead to stress and worries and eventually to anxiety. Between 6 and 20 percent of the young population (here including children and teenagers) are affected by anxiety disorders. In most cases, the symptoms of anxiety are not discovered by parents or are not given too much importance.  

Parents are the main persons who can help a child. This is why they need to pay a lot of attention to their child’s acting and reactions. If they feel that there is something wrong they should be capable of offering their child support, so that he can overcome the daily worries.  

Children may be affected by several types of anxiety disorders. Separation anxiety occurs when they are taken away from one, or both parents. This anxiety manifests through temper tantrum, clingy attitude, refusal to go to school, sleeping disorders when they sleep away from parents and even physical reactions, such as stomachaches. 

Children are also prone to experience phobias. They may experience fear when seeing a dog, an insect, a clown or when being in a narrow room, when flying or when being on a bridge. Practically every object or every situation which they cannot control can be the subject of a phobia. 

Social anxiety is another type of anxiety which can affect children. It refers to the fear of meeting new people, of talking to people they do not know well or of being in crowded places. These children need a lot of help to overcome the condition and parents should teach them how to cope with their fear. 

There are many signs which may indicate that a child is suffering from an anxiety disorder. They range from physical symptoms, such as headaches, chest pains, stomachaches, sleep disorders and agitation to mental manifestations. This latter category includes frustration, irritability, low concentration, low self-esteem, self-criticism, less interest for enjoyable activities, reclusiveness and isolation. 

If these manifestations are included in a child’s behavior, then he must be seen by a pediatrician. He will decide if therapy or medication should be prescribed, or a combination of the two will be more suitable.  

Alternative therapies, such as biofeedback, relaxation techniques and family therapy can be recommended too. Parents may also be encouraged to attend parenting classes, where they should be taught how to support the child in his tough moments.  

It is best to prevent anxiety than to treat it. This is why parents should spend more time with their children, listen to their worries and give them proper advice. In addition to this, physical activities are a good way to release a child from stress.