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To a certain extent, anxiety can be a natural, healthy part of everyday life. However, extreme anxiety can lead to maladaptive distress, worry and fear experienced by children as young as 4 years old. Developmentally, children experience different types of anxiety during different stages in their lives. Extreme anxiety can lead to low self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties, and other emotional challenges which can affect healthy development and the transition to adulthood. 

 

Anxiety interferes with one’s life in terms of personal distress, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships. If left untreated, anxiety may lead to more debilitating conditions such as depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, etc. Some signs of anxiety include the following:

 

• Inability to accept change in routine

• Academic difficulties

• Inability or lack of desire to participate in daily tasks

• Unwarranted and excessive fear and worry

• Low self-esteem and sense of self-worth

• Physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, sweating, shortness of breath, crying, etc.. 

 

TheDrJWay emphasizes different strategies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to deal with anxieties, low self-esteem, maladaptive coping mechanisms, and social difficulties. Children will learn the necessary tools to face their fears and change their maladaptive thinking into a more optimal way of thinking.