Fears and anxieties during childhood can be seen as a part of child development. Although fears or anxieties are often perceived as an unpleasant and annoying situation for children who experience this feeling or the people around them, they actually contribute to the strengthening and development of the person. They gain experience in dealing with difficulties. Not being afraid of anything is actually a risky situation. In order for a child to develop his/her adaptation and social skills, he/she must experience anxiety and fears for some periods.
In some cases, anxiety and seeking support can be observed in children. Usually, this situation ends with the situation changing and the child getting closer to a trusted individual. Thus, the child feels comfortable and safe. Anxiety decreases or ends.
Children experience a period of intense dependence that lasts from 9 months after the cause-effect connection begins to be established, especially until the age of 2. A state of fear and anxiety may be observed during this period.
What do children fear at what age?
0-2 years: loud noises, strangers, caregivers separation, injury, imaginary beings, sitting on the toilet
3- 6 years: animals, insects, loneliness, darkness
7- 12 years: new environments, rejection in social environments, school, illness, injury
13- 18 years of age: It can be considered normal to have fears about new environments (high school, university…), illness, and sexuality.
What Kind of Behaviors Does An Anxious Child Exhibit?
They do not want to separate from the mother or caregiver, they may have sleeping or eating problems, and they may not want to establish close relationships with strangers.
Unidentified fears are frequently seen in children who get to know the outside world with the kindergarten experience after the age of 3. After the age of 6, when imaginary evil heroes are frequently encountered, the child begins to understand the real fears of life as he begins to think abstractly. The concept of death is a subject that is frequently thought about in this period. Wars, being broke, and losing one's parents are real factors that threaten his life. Healthy mother-child relationship in the preschool period In cases where the two are established, it is seen that the child's anxiety and fears do not negatively affect his development.
How to Treat a Child with Anxiety Disorder?
- First of all Allow your child to express both his anxiety and fear.
- The child will feel relaxed when he feels listened to and understood.
- Do not use sentences that belittle the fear and his/her feelings.
/> - First, the child should be asked what his problem is, the parent should perceive it himself and be told that he can help him in this regard.
- Staying away from the situation and object that creates fear is not a permanent solution. Supporting him, encouraging him and being a positive role model will make your job easier.
- Parents should emphasize that they understand their child's concerns and fears, that these concerns will pass over time, and should make the child feel safe.
Do not overreact. . Giving excessive attention to the child when he is anxious may reinforce the anxiety.
- Do not be overprotective, do not allow him to escape from what he is afraid of. Otherwise, the child will not have the opportunity to realize that what he is running away from is not as dangerous as he thinks, and that it is stronger than he thinks.
- Rewarding brave and carefree behavior: reward your child's courageous behavior, no matter how small it is.
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**Recognizing quickly what the problem is and intervening correctly will bring the solution quickly.
*If your child has severe anxiety and fear, and you find that none of these behaviors are working If you notice it, then you may need to get therapy support from a specialist.
Fears or anxieties that are not worked on will not go away and may affect your child's inner world even more in the future. The most effective method is to explore the child's inner world and draw a different road map for each child after revealing the cause and problem.
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