It is common for children and teenagers to feel worry and fear. It is not dangerous to feel strong emotions, and it goes over. But if the fear does not go over and affect how the child or teen works in everyday life it can be an anxiety disorder. Then they may need treatment.
Anxiety can feel different and depend on different things. Here you can read about different types of anxiety, what you can do yourself to relieve as well as where and when to seek care.
Anxiety is the fear or worry that is felt in the body. It is uncomfortable but not dangerous to have anxiety. There are various ways to deal with anxiety, and things you can do yourself to feel better. There is also treatment that helps.
About one in ten children feel fear in connection with a dentist visit. It is most common in younger children. Dental care can be due to many things. Often, the child has previously had bad experiences with dental treatment, for example that it has hurt or that the child has felt violated.
Dental care fears more or less strong feelings of discomfort in connection with a dental visit. You worry that it will hurt and that something may go wrong. You who are in the dentist's chair may also feel very exposed, in a situation that you do not control.
Both children and adults may feel anxious or afraid in connection with a dentist visit. But anyone who has dental fear can get help and the vast majority can be free from their fear.
It is common to be afraid of taking syringes and blood tests. There are several things you can do yourself to reduce the feeling of discomfort and better manage needle-stick situations. It is considered a phobia if your fear is strong and limits you. Then you can get treatment.
Social anxiety means that you are afraid of getting into situations with other people, where you risk feeling lost or scrutinized. It can lead to you avoiding social contexts. Seek care if your anxiety hinders you in your everyday life. There are treatments that help.
It can be difficult to feel good again after experiencing scary events such as accidents, war and sexual or physical violence. You may have symptoms such as nightmares, having difficulty concentrating and being relieved. With the right treatment, many people with post-traumatic stress disorder have good chances to feel good again.
AnxietyDiseasesMental illnesses and disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome in Children and Adolescents
Children and young people may find it difficult to feel good again after having been involved in serious events such as escape or abuse. Children may have severe anxiety, distressing memories or nightmares. With support and treatment, children have good chances to be free of their symptoms.
You may have what is called panic syndrome if you have recurrent panic attacks and have begun to avoid certain situations and locations. Then you may need to seek help. There are treatments that help.
AnxietyDiseasesMental illnesses and disorders
OCD – Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and teenagers
When a child or a teenager has obsessive-compulsive disorder, they notice that they have to think in a certain way or do certain things in a special way. Otherwise, they will have anxiety or think that something awful will happen. There is good treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Most have at some time had hard thoughts and have felt a compulsion to do certain things. It may be to double check if the door is really locked or the cooker is off. In obsessive-compulsive disorder, thoughts take up a lot of your time and you often have anxiety. Those who want help can get good treatments.
You may have what is called generalized anxiety disorder or GAD if you have so much anxiety and anxiety that it affects your life every day. Then you may need to seek help to feel better.
You may have what is called phobia if you are so scared of something that you do everything to avoid it. For example, there may be certain animals, places or situations. If your phobia has started to limit you in life, you may need to seek help. There are treatments that help.
AnxietyDiseasesMental illnesses and disorders
Emotionally Unstable Personality Syndrome – Borderline Personality Syndrome
Emotionally unstable personality syndrome, EIPS, or borderline personality syndrome, also known as it, means you deal with strong emotions in a way that can be harmful to yourself. There are treatments that can help you with EIPS. There is also much you can do yourself to feel better.