As your child grows and develops, you may suspect that they have something going on outside of standard behavioral patterns. Your child may complain of headaches or stomach aches more frequently or be unwilling or fearful to experience new things.
Dr. Maria Castro and Dr. Yenny Cruz of StarLight Pediatrics, located in Holly Springs, NC, are available for your child's appointment to discuss anxiety disorders and how they may relate to your child.
Anxious Behavior Vs. Normal Behavior
It is expected that your child may fear new things or have some anxious behavior during adjustment periods or unusual events.
We could expect to see a spike in nervous behavior at these times, but their nervous behavior should disappear as your child becomes used to a new situation. According to Dr. Castro and Dr. Cruz of StarLight Pediatrics, located in Holly Springs, NC, the following are a few signs of children exhibiting an anxiety disorder.
- Complaints during the week of stomachaches and headaches
- Vague worries or fears
- Trouble sleeping, nightmares, wanting to sleep with other siblings or adults
- Inability to relax even though there is nothing wrong
- Easily frustrated, prone to anger, and shaking
- Inability to focus on daily tasks
- May use the bathroom more than normal
- Refusal to attend school
Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxious Disorder
Treating anxious behavior would involve visiting our pediatrician as the first step toward diagnosis. Our doctor would perform a physical with a complete family history to provide a baseline for treatment and determine if there is some other cause that could be contributing to anxiety symptoms.
Our doctor may ask you, your child's teachers, or caregivers to complete a form describing the child's behavior.
There are two primary ways of providing treatment if our doctor determines that diagnosis: medication and therapy.
Depending on the severity of the anxious behavior and the age of your child, our doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy will teach your child coping skills that can calm their thoughts and introduce them to taking small steps with new experiences. If needed, we may order specific medications to decrease anxiety through regular usage.
Schedule Your Child's Visit Today!
Call Dr. Castro and Dr. Cruz of StarLight Pediatrics at 919-762-5113 in Holly Springs, NC. We look forward to your child's visit to discuss their anxiety symptoms and keep abreast of new behavioral management techniques.