Children anxiety disorders are common, but the exact number of sufferers is unknown, most likely because the condition is often under-diagnosed, undiagnosed or unreported. While it is very treatable with good, persistent medical care, medical experts agree that anxiety problems during childhood (when misjudged and overlooked) will likely to persist as an adult psychiatric disorder. In other words, early manifestations of anxiety through anxiety attacks during childhood must be addressed as early as possible hence, reducing the chances of developing into an adult version.

Through the following symptoms, you can detect that a child is a possible candidate of a specific type of anxiety disorder or if the child is undergoing another episode of anxiety attack.

Separation anxiety is very common among children when they reach school age. They exhibit unreasoned fear and panic at being separated from their parents or their home during parents. Symptoms include crying and begging not to go to school. It is also possible that a child complains stomach aches, headaches, toothaches, and other maladies that would keep him from going to school. Alternately, a child will show a demeanor when at home or during the company of parents.

Social phobia is almost the opposite of separation anxiety. A child may choose stay home alone or keep separated from parents. Social phobia can push children to stay away from peers as they feel that they are different from other kids or that they have clothes or hair style that are apart from the interest of other kids. A child with social phobia may choose to read a book than to go to summer camp or any activity that involves mingling with others.

Performance anxiety can be closely linked to social anxiety. A child who does not play good sports may show signs of fear during physical education class. A child with poor reading skills or cannot perform simple mathematical equation may panic and become ill when called to recite for the class or solve a problem on the board.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic worry or fear over almost everything without any apparent reason. Symptoms of GAD are very similar to what adults would experience. Patients with GAD may complain about stomach upset, fatigue, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. In addition, a child may throw tantrums, may cry, have nightmares, may be keyed up and even begin to show problems in school that were not present before.

What causes anxiety to children?

There are many studies supporting that child anxiety is genetically acquired. Parents, for example, who manifest anxiety, will likely have anxious and nervous children. This condition can be learned as well. It is possible that a child develops anxiety disorder after a bad experience – ridiculed by classmates, victim of bullies in school, or making a mistake in front of the class. Separation of parents, abuse, death of a loved one or any traumatic experiences can lead to anxiety disorder as well. Fear of being alone, is afraid of the dark or afraid of certain animals may be reflections of events with bad memories.

Behaviors during anxiety attacks and symptoms of anxiety disorders are similar to other psychological, physical and behavioral condition. It is important, therefore, to seek professional help to be able to rule out other reasons and provide the right treatment to the patient.

Every child has a hobby of getting dirty. Playing around with friends under the heat of the sun or climbing trees. Whatever activity there is, it is always proper to maintain personal hygiene care for the sake of your child’s health. Make your child realize that being hygienic is as important as making friends. In addition, being clean can make him feel more positive about himself.

You need not to wear designer clothes just to look good. Even your home wear can make you already feel
good just by being hygienic about yourself from top to toe. You, as a parent, have to explain things clearly
to your child so that as early as possible, he can learn important tasks to stay hygienic.

Hair

Our bodies are surrounded by hair. No matter how thin or how thick it is, it’s still considered as hair.
Hair follicles produce oil that keeps hair smooth. Your scalp has sweat glands and dead skin cells. If combined, sweat, oil and dead cells can turn your hair greasy and will look dirty not unless you wash it
regularly. To keep your child’s hair clean, you must:

• shampoo regularly (choose a brand that wouldn’t harm your child’s hair and scalp)

• massage the scalp well to help remove unwanted dead cells, grease, etc.

• rinse well with clear, clean water

• if your daughter has long hair, apply conditioner to make it smoother but otherwise, conditioners aren’t
really necessary.

• when combing, use a wide toothed comb especially for wet hair.

Clothes

Change your child’s clothes everyday. It is optional though, to change more than once a day. This only
happens when your child sweats a lot after playing under the heat of the sun. Immediately change your
child’s clothes to prevent the build-up of microorganisms that produces body odor.

Feet

Advice your child to wash his or her feet well while taking a bath or right before bedtime. Dry them
thoroughly with clean sheets of towel. If you’re going swimming and will wash up in public areas, it is also
good that you advice to wash his entire body together with his feet thoroughly. This will protect him from
acquiring infections or other people’s skin problems that he came in contact with while swimming in the
public pool.

Shoes

Spending a lot of time with your child’s feet is as important as your child’s shoes. A human’s feet is
considered as the area of body where sweat glands have the largest accumulation. Once your child’s feet
sweats, it goes to the shoes and stick to it, thus, cultivating bacteria that may cause foot diseases. As soon as your child comes home from school, let him take off his shoes. Teach him how to keep his shoes clean by washing, brushing or polishing it.

Perfume and deodorants

“Smell nice” products can be used to accentuate your child’s proper grooming. If your child is old enough
to create body odor, it’s time to start buying him deodorants to keep his armpit from smelling like vinegar.

Even if he is still young, it is good that you teach him the different aspects on how to be more conscious
about his body. Being clean can attract a lot of friends and people. Personal hygiene can definitely improve your child’s health and other people’s impression about him.