Child Anxiety Counseling
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Child Anxiety Counseling Service in Pune
Are you looking for Child counselors for your child’s anxiety issues in Pune, Maharashtra? We provide the best child counseling services. If you’re in Pune, you can opt for one-to-one counseling services, if you are residing anywhere in India, don’t worry, we’re providing online child counseling services as well. To book an appointment, click on the link here.
What is Child Anxiety Counselling?
Having an anxious child can be tough for the child as well as parents too. Childhood anxiety is perfectly natural. Children’s lack of understanding about the world around them, the people around and the lack of control makes their anxiety worse. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, one in eight kids suffer from an anxiety disorder. It is essential to determine first whether the child is just feeling a bit of fear or is he suffering from an anxiety disorder? The first thing you should do if you suspect that your child has an anxiety disorder is to schedule a doctor’s appointment. The doctor can review your child’s medical history to see if there’s an underlying reason for his/her symptoms. They might also refer your family to a mental or behavioral health professional. The options for helping anxious children may include professional therapy and prescription medicines.
When it comes to child anxiety counseling, a mental health professional develops a therapy plan which suits the child and family the best. For younger children, involving their parents is a must. Therapies such as Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT), or Behavioural therapy are used most commonly. Along with that, support groups, social support also work the best.
Signs Your Child Need Anxiety Counseling
There are several times in a child’s life that you as a parent can deal with easily. But sometimes require the attention of a professional. Mental issues are real and can affect people of all age groups, including children. Right from depression to anxiety, children are equally prone to mental health issues.
Here are a few common signs to observe to know whether your child needs counselling:
- Sudden behavioral changes such as changes in eating, sleeping patterns, etc.
- Unusual, sudden anxiety, worry, or sadness
- Sudden urge to be alone
- Mentioning death frequently / doing life-threatening tasks
- Suddenly increased health complaints
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions
- Destructive behavior
- Regression such as bedwetting, excessive fearfulness, tantrums, clinginess
- Reduced self-confidence
- Has problems in multiple areas of life such as family relationships, academic performance, leisure activities, friendships, etc.
- Engages in negatives behavior more frequently
Sometimes, it is also recommended for the parents to trust their gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it is always beneficial to seek help instead of shame about it. It’s better to trust your instinct as a parent and take a step forward instead of getting something unchecked.
Why Do You Need Child Anxiety Counseling?
Life presents us with a lot of challenges both large and small, and it is normal to become stressed or anxious when dealing with difficult emotions or circumstances. Anxiety in children, just like in adults, occurs when worries become overwhelming. From homework and tests to building relationships and remembering the different sets of rules they must follow at school and home, children face a wide variety of stressors that can contribute to anxiety symptoms. Also, a family history of anxiety or a stressful or traumatic event – like a move or divorce – can make a child more likely to suffer mild or severe anxiety.
Here are a few reasons why do you need child anxiety counseling
- For the early recognition of symptoms and better planning of the treatment.
- For the well-being of the child and the family
- To understand the reason for anxiety
- To develop empathy for your child.
- To understand your child better
- To understand and support the child
- To make your child equipped to deal with their problems.
When to Get Child Anxiety Counseling?
When children have emotional or behavioral problems, the earlier they get treatment, the better. When you as a parent see any of the red flags mentioned above, or any other signs to worry about, it’s always better to seek help instead of waiting for things to get better on their own.
Remember one thing – THE EARLIER THE BETTER!
Child Anxiety Counselling: FAQs
According to the American Academy of Paediatrics and a few experts, you should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist with experience treating children with an anxiety disorder when the child’s behavior or anxiety:
- Disrupts the household and interferes with family activities and life
- When the child gets upset multiple times a day or week
- When the frequency and intensity of the fears escalate (may be accompanied by acting out, meltdowns, screaming, yelling, or tantrums).
- When the anxiety leads to significant avoidance behavior. The child continually and consistently makes excuses to avoid school or other situations that may provoke anxiety.
- When the disorder is making it difficult for the child to interact with, make or keep friends.
- When sleep habits are disrupted
- When you begin to see compulsive behaviors and rituals such as repeated hand washing, counting, checking things, and when the child refuses or is unable to leave the house without performing these rituals.
- When your child shows a pattern of physical symptoms that are disruptive and detrimental to the child (vomiting, stomach aches, etc.)
- When your child experiences panic attacks characterized by heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, hyperventilation.
As a parent, you play an essential role in treating a child’s anxiety. You as a parent need to be supportive, empathetic towards the child. Acknowledge their feeling and help them acknowledge the same. You can learn a few techniques from the therapist and help your child apply them to themselves such as journaling, self-talk, etc. If the child and you are overwhelmed by the child’s anxiety, then just hug your child and empathize with them. That’s also very useful!
As a therapist, there are numerous therapies a therapist will use to treat a child’s anxiety. The therapy plan depends upon the child’s type of anxiety, the duration, the social support, and most importantly the reason for anxiety.
Many researchers conclude that anxiety can be genetic. But, at the same time, there are environmental factors that play a major role in the development of anxiety in the child such as peer pressure, parental divorce, death of a loved one, bullying, etc. Genes and environmental factors both contribute to the development of anxiety in children.
Child anxiety is not a mental illness unless it is t the superficial level. Once it becomes serious, it becomes an anxiety disorder which becomes a mental illness. But, with proper guidance and help from professionals, it is possible to get better with anxiety disorder.
There is no fast solution to relieve child anxiety. With proper support from professional and appropriate guidance, the anxiety will surpass as and when the time comes. The early diagnosis of symptoms will help recover quickly. But, there is no easy and fast solution for it.
Looking for Child Anxiety Counselling?
Are you looking for the best Child anxiety counselors in Pune, Maharashtra, India? If you’re in Pune, you can opt for in-person counseling. Otherwise, we also provide Online children counseling services pan India. To book an appointment for our kids counseling services, please click here.
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