Anxiety And Anxiety In Children

Anxiety is our body's normal reaction to a stressful situation and can induce an increase in heart rate and breathing, a change in blood flow causing dizziness, sweating and nausea. A 'perceived threat' can trigger our 'fight or flight' response. It helps us prepare for situations such as public speaking, interviews or participation in sports. Generally, once the cause passes the stress will pass. However for some, it may not, and anxiety will occur without any discernible trigger. Repeated bouts can affect relationships, the ability to concentrate and absorb information and impede everyday activities.

Response Ability Initiative: Anxiety and disorders (2014, p.1), estimates that 15% of Australian children, aged four to seventeen, will experience the adverse effects associated with anxiety and anxiety disorders. "It is often during this period that mental illness will first occur; with 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness starting by age 14, and 75% by age 24," (Response Ability Initiative: Depressive Disorders, 2014, p.1). Anxiety disorders arise when there is a constant fear that is disproportional to an …show more content…
Meghan Rienks (2016) describes on her YouTube channel that adults and adolescents may not show any outward signs of stress or anxiety, despite feeling caught in an overwhelming and continual cycle of irrational fear and mixed emotions. In younger children, indications may be more visible and include behaviours such as attention seeking, restlessness, irritability, displays of anger, sadness and crying, negativity, low self-esteem, withdrawal, clinginess, constant worrying, procrastination, risky behaviour, truancy, perfectionism or compulsive behaviour. Physical consequences can include stomach-aches, diarrhoea, muscle tension, sleeplessness and fatigue. These symptoms can affect academic ability, concentration, social interaction, eating habits and may lead to a use of drugs and