Dealing with anxiety often involves medical intervention to reduce or eliminate the symptoms associated with the condition. Although symptoms may vary depending on the severity, feelings of uneasiness, stomach aches and nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping and anger are common signs to look out for, especially in children with anxiety.

Fortunately, health and wellness centers are capable of developing a customized plan that meets your child's individual needs.

Here are several therapies and treatments that could be incorporated into a pediatric anxiety plan:

Yoga/Meditation

Yoga and meditation are known to assist individuals of all ages, including adolescents, with mental and emotional health and stress reduction—even those who aren't suffering from anxiety. Research suggests it could be a particularly positive influence on children with the disorder.

A 2014 report shared by the U.S. National Library of Medicine states: “Yoga can be an appropriate scientific intervention in childhood and youth as a stress alleviator, especially in the school setting.”

“The evidence of yoga practice among children indicates improved benefits in concentration, stress alleviation, self-awareness, consciousness, self-regulation, behavioral and emotional maturity, and self-confidence in everyday life. There are also some proofs where yoga has worked as an adjunct to medical treatment of mental illness with positive effects,” the report continues.

An April 2018 Forbes article discusses how yoga in schools could help children with their anxiety. It reviews a recent study from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana that takes a closer look at yoga and a child’s brain development.

“So the results of the new study aren’t totally surprising, but again, they add to the growing body of evidence showing how yoga and mindfulness can affect the developing brain, behavior, and mental health," it says. "At a time when the most developmentally important learning opportunities are being stripped away in U.S. schools—recess time, art and music, and hands-on learning—and stress levels are rising, the study points to an effective way for schools to help kids deal with it all.”

Psychiatry

Psychiatric counseling is a holistic health service that is often utilized to assist adolescents with anxiety. There are many psychiatrists who specialize in anxiety, as well as depression, and are trained to identify symptoms, pinpoint the possible cause(s) for a child’s uneasiness, and assess his or her mental health. An evaluation by a licensed and experienced psychiatrist is the first step toward improving the management of a particular condition and preventing it from negatively affecting the child’s overall quality of life.

A psychiatrist can also recommend other therapies he or she believes would benefit the child, as well as make additional suggestions the child’s family can adopt at home. These may include using soothing language to show the child support and/or helping them to establish and maintain a daily routine.

Acupuncture

You may not immediately think of acupuncture when considering a natural remedy for anxiety, but children in the United States have been utilizing this ancient Chinese medical practice, for this very reason, for quite some time.

“Officials at pediatric hospitals estimate that at least a third of U.S. pain centers for children offer acupuncture alongside traditional treatments,” states a September 2012 article published by The Washington Post. “The federal government’s National Health Interview Survey, which last asked about acupuncture in 2007, estimated that about 150,000 children were receiving the needle treatment annually for conditions such as pain, migraine and anxiety.”

Cognitive Behavioral Therapies

Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) are frequently included in pediatric anxiety plans, due to their positive effects on patients.

“CBT for child anxiety disorders has a rich history dating back to the beginnings of the behavioral movement in the 1920s," explains a 2012 report shared by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. "These treatments were unique in their strong ties to both theory and empiricism. Today, over 40 randomized clinical trials support the efficacy of CBT for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents." The analysis further highlights how these studies' outcomes show a strong connection between CBT and pediatric anxiety reduction. “Moreover,” it continues, “the effects seen in these studies suggest that changes are clinically significant as well as statistically significant.”

The Northport Wellness Center is a holistic health and wellness practice located on Long Island with an experienced pediatric medical team. We offer a wide range of therapies that could assist children suffering from anxiety. We are also affiliated with Dr. Julian Herskowitz of Terrap Anxiety Treatment. Contact us today to find out what we can do to assist you and your family achieve optimal health.