Anxiety In Children Symptoms: Natural Remedies For Anxiety Disorders

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Salina in Childrens Health 2

Anxiety in children is fairly common and is expected during very specific time during their development. Often some of the anxiety in children is normal, especially first day of going to school or first stage show. However excessive anxiety may interfere with the child’s ability to lead a normal and socially interactive life. Counseling is often required to treat anxiety disorder among children and help them develop some coping skills.

Causes Of Anxiety Disorders In Children

There are a wide range of factors that are responsible for anxiety in children,

  • Separation Anxiety or the anxiety of being alone or away from familiar people is common among children.
    Children may respond by throwing tantrums, clinging, crying or behaving manipulatively. As age passes, separation anxiety tends to reduce significantly
  • Unpleasant experiences or traumatic incidences tend to make the child anxious. These situation imbibe a sense of fear in the child and results in the labeling of the event or activity as ‘dangerous’. E.g. fall from the swing may result in fear and anxiety of sitting on the swing
  • School related problems are another common cause of anxiety while going to school.
    Bullying or strict teacher are some of the factors that can make a child anxious
  • Family problems can have a detrimental impact on the child’s mind and may cause the child to become anxious and fearful of home.
  • Often children tend to imitate their parents or loved ones and tend to pick up anxious behavior from them. Overprotective parents may result in anxiety disorder in children

Symptoms Of Anxiety In Children

Though in most children, fear and anxiety is short lived and with daily experiences of life, they gradually develop the requisite coping skills to tackle anxiety.

Some of the common symptoms associated with anxiety among children include,

  • Bed wetting with night terrors and nightmares
  • Avoiding socially interactive activities like school events
  • Difficulty in making friends with the constant fear of making mistakes
  • Compulsive behavior like checking the closet or under the bed before going to sleep
  • Fear of embarrassment and low self esteem and lack of confidence
  • Frequent and constant feeling of panic and disruption of normal activities

Natural Remedies For Anxiety In Children

There are some simple therapies that can help in treatment of anxiety naturally among children,

  • Play therapy is a technique which is used by psychologist and helps children cope with their anxiety. Children are allowed to enact their fears and anxieties which help them overcome their problems
  • Natural herbs like St John’s Wart and Nutmeg  is considered effective in the management of anxiety in children
  • Homeopathic drugs like Passiflora or Scuttelaria are effective in the management of anxiety and are free from any side effects or complications.
  • Consuming a glass full of milk with a few strings of saffron is beneficial in management of anxiety. Milk is a mood food and helps relieve stress while saffron enhances mental and memory functions.
Related Reading:

Saffron For Brain Power

Recent studies have demonstrated that saffron promotes learning, memory retention, and recall capacity. Crocin, a compound present naturally in saffron is responsible for this beneficial effect.
On the basis of this early research, scientists are hopeful that saffron might be useful in the treatment and management of age related mental impairment.

A little about saffron:

Saffron is the delicate red stigma (the female part of the flower that catches pollen) of a purple crocus, crocus sativus.
80000 flowers (240000 stigmas) are needed to produce a single pound or 1/2 a kilogram of saffron.

Health Benefits Of Saffron

  • Saffron has been used to check insomnia. It is greatly beneficial as a sleep aid.
  • Treatment of Parkinson’s disease has also seen beneficial effects with the use of the spice.
  • Research also states that saffron can protect against cancer. It has potent anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects. It has been extremely valuable in liver cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and in leukemia. It is responsible for removing carcinogens (cancer causing agents), from the body. Read symptoms of Ovarian Cancer also.
  • The spice is also advantageous in the management of various cardiovascular disorders.
  • Due to its anti-oxidant properties, saffron is of immense use in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Tips to detect adulteration:

  • You can determine if the saffron you have bought, is adulterated or not, or if a dye has been used to imitate saffron, by immersing a little of the spice in warm water or milk.
  • If the liquid colors immediately, then the saffron is fake, and it is simply an artificial dye.
  • Genuine saffron must soak in either warm water or milk for at least 10 to 15 minutes before its deep red-gold color, and the saffron aroma begin to develop.

Quick serve ideas:

  • A pinch of saffron will transform any fish soup or stew in to a rich, golden delight.
  • Saffron also works wonders with any rice preparations. Spanish dishes like paella, Italian risotto, become superb if a pinch of saffron is added to them.
  • Make your omelet delicious with just a few threads of saffron. Whisk the eggs nicely. Add finely chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir in a pinch of saffron. Pour this mix in to a well oiled skillet and cook over medium heat.
  • Garlic, thyme, and saffron make an amazingly delicious marinade for fish.
  • Use saffron to cakes, pastries and other confectionary items to give them a golden hue and a rich aroma.

Memory Boosting Foods

  • The brain requires a constant supply of glucose for optimal functioning. So never stay hungry, and never let hypoglycemia strike.
  • Vitamin B12 (found in fish, eggs, meat, liver, kidney, cheese) folic acid (green peas, dark green leafy vegetable, tomatoes), and omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish) are of immense help to fight forgetfulness and poor memory. Eating foods rich in these nutrients will boost brain power. See also Foods that boost brain power
  • Proved through the doctrine of signature (the walnut is shaped like the brain), walnuts are excellent brain foods.
  • Consume 5-6 nuts daily, to keep the brain active and sharp.

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