As parents, sometimes we think we’re
involved in our kids’ lives, but actually, we’re completely shut out. They may not
feel comfortable sharing details with us, especially if they’re under stress or
suffering from intense anxiety-related symptoms.
As children grow into their teen years,
their demands to excel increase, and they might realize that there’s just too
much pressure to be perfect. This can lead to anxiety disorders, characterized
by worrying, self-doubt, panic attacks, and even suicidal thoughts.
Is your child feeling the burden of an
intense work and school schedule? Has their behavior led you to believe that
they might not have appropriate coping mechanisms to deal with stress? Your
child might be 1 in 20 children with an anxiety-related disorder.
If your child is showing any of these 3 signs,
it’s time to consult a treatment center like https://clearrecoverycenter.com/.
1. A Never-Ending Need
to Work Harder
Just because your
child willingly takes on the demands of work, school, social time, family
responsibilities, and extracurricular activities, it doesn’t mean they’re emotionally
staying afloat.
Some kids thrive with
a busy schedule. Others take on heavy demands because they’re afraid of feeling
like a failure if they aren’t overachieving.
This is a defining
trait of perfectionism. Perfectionists are pushed by a drive not to necessarily
achieve goals but to avoid their own definition of failure. They might think that
signing up for another elective or advanced college credit class is essential.
But really, it’s another demand on a never-ending list of priorities.
This child will
struggle to see mistakes as anything other than signs of their inability to be
perfect all the time. They might show signs of intense agitation if they get
one answer wrong on a test or cost their team a point. They may be suffering internally from the
unrealistic expectation that they should never miss experience a setback.
If your child
refuses to take time for themselves or shows signs that they view mistakes as
signs of failure and not learning opportunities, they might be driven by an
anxiety to be perfect.
2. A Struggle to Keep
Up with Life’s Demands
It’s also possible that your child is terrified to take on any demands and is dealing with anxiety-related procrastination.
Unlike the perfectionist
child, the procrastinating child is too afraid to take responsibility. As a
result, they put off important tasks and struggle to balance work, school, and
social life.
As a result, they
may voice self-esteem issues of not being good enough, which can worsen and
lead to intense depression and suicidal thoughts. Even getting up will increase
their likelihood of encountering an anxiety-inducing situation.
If your child
avoids natural responsibilities and is a procrastinator, they may be attempting
to keep anxiety-inducing situations as far away as possible. If not treated,
this can lead to a life spent of anxiety-driven procrastination.
3. Difficulty Concentrating or Thinking Clearly
You may have a
child who is talkative, thoughtful, and excels at critical thinking and problem-solving.
However, the minute they’re put on the spot, they tense up.
This is a common
problem in testing situations and school environments. A child might study for
an exam only to show up and blank as a result of their anxiety.
This can also
manifest in performance settings, such as at a recital or competition. You know
they’re capable of winning. Yet, they freeze in the spotlight.
This is a common
sign of anxiety issues. Your child may even describe feeling foggy,
light-headed, or cloudy. Their brain is hindered from making fast-acting
decisions from anxiety.
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