While most anxiety is associated with adults, it typically has its roots in young adults and teens. Statistics have shown that almost 10% of preteens and 15% of teenagers suffer from unusually high anxiety and panic attacks.
Experts believe that most of these cases will eventually lead to heightened adult anxiety if the youth is not taught how to control their fear.
Childhood for anyone can be difficult. Getting good grades, making and keeping friends, peer pressure, self image, hormones, and disagreements with parents are just a few of the stressful issues children and teens must deal with.
Most children are able to maintain normal anxiety levels, but some children face every day with heightened anxiety and worry.
Future Implications
When someone does not learn how to control anxiety in their youth, they are training their brain to always react with panic and fear. Once they become an adult, that anxiety will happen more quickly and more strongly.
Adults who suffered from untreated anxiety as a child are extremely likely to have their enjoyment and success in life hindered by recurring panic attacks and chronic anxiety.
For many adults, this fear and anxiety can be debilitating. It can negatively impact their careers and stop them from having fulfilling relationships. The best thing you can do for your child is to work together, as a family, to start controlling anxiety.
Do It Together
Every family member plays an important role in how well the youth is able to deal with their anxiety. Therefore, every family member has to actively participate in therapy. Many forms of therapy, especially cognitive therapy, are more successful when family members participate.
All inclusive family therapy is more effective for several reasons. Each member will learn to recognize anxiety triggers and early symptoms. This helps because thought exercises and diversion tactics can be used right away when needed, before the anxiety become overwhelming.
Also, every family member will learn to reinforce the positive progress that occurs and comfort the youth if there is a setback. Additionally, if the entire family is dedicated to major lifestyle changes then the youth will not feel like they are suffering alone or being singled out for their condition.
Be Proactive
It is not good enough to just read up on the subject and try to follow a few tips that you learn. If your child is suffering from anxiety, you owe it to them and the rest of your family to do all that you can to cure the problem.
You have to commit to an anti-anxiety program that encompasses all of the issues that relate to controlling anxiety attacks.
There should be several different components to a good anti-anxiety program. Naturally, the program should include cognitive exercises to help the youth maintain control over anxiety. Meditation and esteem boosting thought exercises will also be helpful.
The program should address lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, which help to relieve anxiety. It should teach the child diversion tactics to use when they are feeling particularly anxious. A good program will also show every family member how to best nurture the sufferer, without becoming an emotional crutch.
A really good program that will help cure your child’s anxiety is The Panic Puzzle Program. The Panic Puzzle Program was created by an anxiety expert who overcame his condition and is sharing his techniques. It is endorsed by many therapists and thousands have used it to master their anxiety.
If you all work together, the anti-anxiety therapy will be extremely successful. You each play an important role in ensuring that your child can have a healthy, functional, and enjoyable life as an adult. Once your child learns to control their anxiety attacks, they will be on the road to a bright and happy future.
