Behavior therapy for anxiety may involve helping children cope with and manage anxiety symptoms while gradually exposing them to their fears so as to help them learn that bad things do not occur. It helps the child change negative thoughts into more positive, effective ways of thinking, leading to more effective behavior. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one form of therapy that is used to treat anxiety or depression, particularly in older children. For very young children, involving parents in treatment is key. The school can also be included in the treatment plan. Behavior therapy includes child therapy, family therapy, or a combination of both. A mental health professional can develop a therapy plan that works best for the child and family. Consultation with a health provider can help determine if medication should be part of the treatment. It is important to get a careful evaluation to get the best diagnosis and treatment. Specific symptoms like having a hard time focusing could be a sign of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends screening for anxiety in children aged 8 to 18 years and for depression in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. Some of the signs and symptoms of anxiety or depression in children could be caused by other conditions, such as trauma. The first step to treatment is to talk with a healthcare provider such as your child’s primary care provider, or a mental health specialist, about getting an evaluation. Learn about the FDA’s warning when using antidepressants with young people Learn more about depression in children Treatment for anxiety and depression Depression might also cause a child to make trouble or act unmotivated, causing others not to notice that the child is depressed or to incorrectly label the child as a trouble-maker or lazy. Some children may not talk about their helpless and hopeless thoughts, and may not appear sad. For youth ages 10-24 years, suicide is among the leading causes of death. Showing self-injury and self-destructive behaviorĮxtreme depression can lead a child to think about suicide or plan for suicide.Showing changes in energy – being tired and sluggish or tense and restless a lot of the time. Showing changes in sleep patterns – sleeping a lot more or a lot less than normal.Showing changes in eating patterns – eating a lot more or a lot less than usual.Not wanting to do or enjoy doing fun things.Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable a lot of the time.US Preventive Services Task Force: Learn about recommendations to screen adolescents for depressionĮxamples of behaviors often seen in children with depression include When children feel persistent sadness and hopelessness, they may be diagnosed with depression. However, some children feel sad or uninterested in things that they used to enjoy, or feel helpless or hopeless in situations they are able to change. Occasionally being sad or feeling hopeless is a part of every child’s life. Learn more about anxiety in children Depression Related conditions include Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Some anxious children keep their worries to themselves and, thus, the symptoms can be missed. Anxiety symptoms can also include trouble sleeping, as well as physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches.
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