Anxiety affects people physically, on an emotional level and psychologically, and is a form of stress. Anxiety isn’t a uniquely adult issue, children can also suffer anxiety and panic, often as a result of worrying about the future. Feelings of lack of control are a common factor in panic and anxiety, and so children, with their limited autonomy, can be quite vulnerable.
The effects of anxiety and panic on children
The world is a complex and now and then a confusing place, so children can quite naturally genuinely feel a little anxious every once in awhile. These phases are usually temporary and harmless with no lasting problems. In some cases, children can be affected by anxiety for large periods of their childhood.
Just like adults, children can be afflicted by anxiety in a variety of ways. They normally start shaking or hyperventilating and in some cases can become hot, fidgety and red in the face.
Panic and anxiety in children can come on as a result of lots of things including sibling rivalry, bullying, homework, or playground fights,or quarreling between mum and dad. The issue is that when a child develops anxiety they can become withdrawn, nervous or scared and this can have a powerful effect on their development. They may begin to avoid places or people that cause this reaction in them. Previous situations where they were bullied in class may create feelings of panic about going to school by way of example.
Left unchecked, anxiety symptoms can begin to grow – social disengagement, lack of focus and insomnia can erode self worth and lead to self destructive behaviour, including smoking, drinking or drug use. Early resolution of anxiety stop these problems being adopted as normal habits and thus affecting them for his or her entire life.
What is the best way to resolve anxiety in youngsters?
When a child is suffering from anxious feelings, it is likely that the behaviour will be brought on as a result of the beliefs held at a subconscious level which is where hypnotherapy comes into play, though of course it is important for them to see their doctor first. However Hypnotherapy strategies are a great way to treat anxiety in children, because it helps them address their subconscious ideas and feelings.
Some children cannot articulate the way they are feeling, or they are not self aware enough to realize exactly what it is they are feeling. A good hypnotherapist would work with whatever the child presents, to help them at any level of maturity. Children tend to be way more receptive to hypnotherapy than adults mainly because they spend a lot of time making use of their active imagination. A child can in some instances relax comfortably and deeply where they are free to let their creative thinking run wild. They create powerful visualisation that could help them find new creative ways of dealing with the anxiety problems.
As a starting point, once the formalities of consent have been managed, the hypnotherapist would seek to establish the scenarios and circumstances which make the child feel anxious. Once the cause is determined, the anxiousness in children can be addressed by reducing this cause and helping them to build more appropriate beliefs.
Lyta Humphris from Hypnosis Devon based in Plymouth explained why hypnotherapy is very useful in treating anxiety in children. She said, “Treating anxiety in children is a very rewarding aspect of my job. To watch them start to blossom as you remove the triggers of anxiety is a treat to behold. This removal of these triggers opens up so many new aspects in their life.”
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person
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