NEWS COPY
Millions of British children are suffering with anxiety - with symptoms starting on average at just seven years old.
A study of 2,000 parents of youngsters aged three to 18 found more than six in 10 exhibit either mild or severe symptoms of worry, unease or fear.
Of these children, 47 per cent quickly get unusually angry or irritable, while 29 per cent can easily get out of control during outbursts.
Around one fifth of parents report their child as scratching at their own skin, while three in 10 say they complain of unexplained tummy aches.
Having to use the toilet more often, not eating properly and pulling on hair are also among the behaviours exhibited by those children suffering with anxiety.
In more extreme cases, 14 per cent of parents say their child has talked about suicide, and 13 per cent are aware of their child watching self-harm content online.
Psychologist Emma Kenny from ChannelMum.com, which carried out the research, said: “Children today are possibly the most stressed generation ever as there is so much pressure piled onto them.
"From feeling they need to succeed academically to social media to heightened awareness of their body image, there is round-the-clock comparison with others from a very young age
“Anxiety can be difficult to identify, as many symptoms are common in childhood and not always serious.
"However parents are often the best judge of whether a symptom is serious as they are in tune with their child and know when their behaviour changes.
"If a child’s behaviour seems particularly unusual, or is worsening without apparent reason, it’s a wise idea to seek professional help.”
The study also found those families who have a child displaying anxiety symptoms can also suffer, with 53 per cent of parents reporting feeling anxious some of the time, and many find it hard to sleep.
Just six per cent of parents don’t know why their child is anxious, while 37 per cent have identified their child as getting more worried when they have to try new things.
And four in 10 say they appear to fear school.
Other known things children are anxious about include sleepovers for 16 per cent, doing anything outside of the normal routine for three in 10 and failing for 31 per cent.
More than a fifth of parents who say their child suffers with anxiety believes bullying is the cause.
However, two thirds of parents polled go out of their way to avoid things they know their child is anxious about.
A further seven in 10 say ‘don’t worry’ when discussing the issue, despite experts advising parents to calmly acknowledge and discuss their child’s fears.
Understandably, many parents feel they need help in managing their child’s anxiety
Going to the GP has been a help for 21 per cent of affected parents, but one fifth are avoiding going in case they are judged negatively.
While 35 per cent don’t feel their situation is bad enough to see a doctor, 18 per cent of parents polled, via OnePoll, admit they are their ‘wits end’ (18 per cent) or crying often about their child (16 per cent).
On the plus side, eight in 10 parents feel able and confident enough to talk to their child about their anxiety.
In addition to visiting the GP, 22 per cent of parents would welcome taking an online course if it would help them reduce their child’s negative feelings.
Almost one in five would also be willing to talk to other mums and experts online about the subject.
Four in 10 parents of children exhibiting behaviours associated with anxiety are already planning to get counselling for their child, and 21 per cent are considering cognitive behavioural therapy.
ChannelMum.com psychologist Emma Kenny added: “As life becomes more stressful and pressured for adults, it’s desperately sad to see the same issues arising in children.
"However, tackling anxiety in children can stop youngsters going on to develop serious mental health issues when they are adults.
"We need to break the taboo and talk openly about how best to support children who are suffering.”
For more information on how to help your child if they are feeling anxious, go to https://www.channelmum.com/c/
TOP 10 CAUSES OF ANXIETY
1. School in general
2. Trying new things
3. Anything out of their regular routine
4. Failing
5. Their friendships
6. Tests
7. Their appearance
8. Bullying
9. Going into the classroom
10. Going anywhere without me
ENDS
