A few weeks ago I knew I was in for it. I left talk radio on as my ten year old and I were on our way to grandma's house. It seemed like a harmless enough story about the discovery of water on the moon. I've learned to tune away quickly from stories about global climate change, swine flu and war, but this didn't seem like a dangerous topic. I mean it's not even about something on this world!
But then one of scientists happened to mention in passing that knowing which planets might have water might be useful since our planet only had a limited time to exist. "Or, in case one of those world destroying comets happens to be spotted heading our way," the moderator joked. And right then I knew I was in for it.
You see I'm the father of a ten year old with GAD: Generalized Anxiety Disorder. So for the next three weeks I was bombarded by questions about how long the Earth had to live. How would we get off of Earth when the comet came? Could we survive in space? Would Grandma be able to go on the space ship too, even though she smokes? How would we know if a comet or meteorite was headed our way? Could we stop it somehow from hitting the Earth? Etc. Etc.
When you live with generalized anxiety disorder in children you get used to spending hours putting out fires like this. It doesn't take much to get them going. This hyperactive worrying is really the main part of generalized anxiety disorder in children but here are some of the other typical symptoms to watch out for if you think your kid might have GAD:
Stomachaches and Headaches
Children with generalized anxiety disorder literally worry themselves sick. They often, especially on school days, complain of stomachaches. Because school is the focus of most kids' lives, GAD children worry about the things that happen there: will they make friends, keep friends, do well on tests, do well in sports, etc. My kid is on a first name basis with the school nurse-Rosie if you're wondering-and his stomachaches tend to happen on Sunday nights because school starts the next day, and on Thursdays, because Fridays are test days. It's like clockwork.
Trouble Sleeping
Insomnia is another problem that is worst on Sundays and Thursdays but it is pretty much a problem every night. A barking dog, the creak of the house, the wind blowing on the gate outside, a screeching car-any of those are enough to keep him awake. It is not unusual for me to see the light on in his room and come in to find him awake and doing nothing in particular. I used to not believe him when he said he never sleeps but now I know the truth about this slight exaggeration.
Irritability and Hyperactivity
Finally, anxiety disorder children are always seemingly wound up and tend to be very testy. This is partly because they are tired from not sleeping but also because worrying about everything, as we adults well know, can really wear you down. It's like when you are working on a big project that you are barely keeping up with. Everything seems more irritating and you are much more likely to lash out at the smallest of triggers. They are like this all the time.
If these symptoms seem to describe one of your children then you should know that there are treatments for anxiety disorder children. Although this is a condition that is likely to be with them for their whole lives, there are techniques you can learn that will help them to cope with their conditions. So don't despair. Learn more about anxiety disorders and how to treat them.
Tom Tait is focused on helping those with panic attacks. Here is more information on Anxiety Stress Disorder. There is even more information about Panic Attacks on the website Panic Attacks.
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