How Anxiety in Kids & Communication Disorders Are Related
Do you notice that children with anxiety disorders tend to be very shy and withdrawn? They may also have communication disorders such as speech impediments or stuttering.
There is a strong correlation between anxiety disorders and communication disorders in children. Furthermore, many experts believe that these two conditions often go hand-in-hand.
If you suspect your child has either condition, you should consult with a paediatrician who specialises in treating both disorders.
The Relationship between Anxiety and Communication Disorders
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause excessive worry, fear, nervousness, restlessness, and other uncomfortable feelings. These types of disorders affect children as well as adults.
The most common forms of anxiety include:
Social phobia.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
Separation anxiety disorder (SAD).
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Panic disorder.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Specific phobias.
The American Psychiatric Association defines anxiety as "a subjective experience of uneasiness, tension, apprehension, or dread accompanied by physiological arousal" (APA 2013).
How anxiety affects kids
Kids who suffer from anxiety often have trouble sleeping at night, feel restless during the day, and may be afraid of certain situations.
They also tend to avoid people they don't know very well because they're worried about what might happen if they do interact with them.
This avoidance behavior can lead to isolation, which makes it even harder for kids to cope with their anxiety.
In addition to these physical symptoms, many kids with anxiety also report feeling sad, angry, frustrated, or anxious.
Some kids develop problems concentrating, making decisions or remembering things. Others struggle with eating habits, self-image, or relationships.
Communication disorders are also another common consequence of anxiety in children.
What is a communication disorder?
"Communication disorder" is any problem communicating thoughts, ideas, emotions, or behaviors. It may be caused by a developmental delay, learning disability, emotional disturbance, neurological impairment, or psychiatric condition.
Common examples of communication disorders include:
Speech sound disorders
Stuttering
Language disorders
Tongue-tied
Echoing
Repetitive speech
Inappropriate use of language
developmental disorders
Selective mutism
Poor language skills
Tying the two together: Anxiety and Communication disorder
Depending on the form of communication disorder your child develops, it may or may not be linked with an anxiety issue. For example, some kids who stutter have no history of anxiety.
However, others who stutter have been diagnosed with GAD, OCD, PTSD, or autism spectrum disorders.
If you notice that your child's anxiety levels seem to increase when he/she is having difficulty speaking, it's important to get him/her evaluated by a professional.
A qualified therapist will be able to determine whether there's a connection between your child's anxiety and his/her communication difficulties.
If your child is diagnosed with anxiety, he/she will likely have a communication disorder. Studies show that more than half of all children diagnosed with anxiety also have a communication disorder.
Children with anxiety are also more likely to have problems with attention, memory, and concentration. This means they may not pay close enough attention when speaking with someone, forget what was said, or get distracted easily.
Some kids with anxiety also have problems with social skills and relationships. This could indicate that they lack social skills or lack the confidence to request assistance when required.
How Anxiety-Related Communication Disorders Impact Kids Lives
Kids with anxiety-related communication disorders face challenges every day. See how anxiety impacts children with communication disorders below:
Having trouble expressing oneself
Lack of faith in their capacity to speak clearly
Social isolation
Poor academic performance
Problems with friendships
Low self-esteem
Depression
Suicidal ideation
Anxiety-related communication disorders can impact kids' lives in ways that go beyond just being socially awkward. These issues can lead to serious consequences such as depression, suicide, substance abuse, and even death if left untreated.
Anxiety-related communication disorders can also affect family life. Parents frequently experience frustration since they are powerless to assist their kids in resolving this issue.
They may feel guilty about feeling anxious, making them less effective parents.
It's important to note that many kids with anxiety-related communication issues do well if they receive treatment from a qualified mental health provider.
Day-to-day impacts
Do you know what anxiety looks like in kids?
When kids struggle to express themselves, they often feel embarrassed, frustrated, angry, sad, lonely, and anxious. As a result, they may avoid certain situations because they're afraid of making mistakes or try to hide their feelings from friends and teachers.
This can make them less willing to participate in school activities, sports teams, clubs, and after-school programs.
As a result, they miss opportunities to learn new things, develop new interests, and build strong peer networks.
Your child's grades may also suffer as they struggle to comprehend and/or articulate answers, especially in high-pressure situations like tests or when asked a question in front of the class.
In addition, if your child struggles to express himself/herself, this can cause friction within the home. You may constantly try to explain your child's behavior to others, which can take time and energy.
Additionally, your youngster may lose contact with family and friends. He/she may withdraw from social interactions, refuse to talk about his/her feelings, or lash out at those closest to him/her.
Long term impacts
The long-term effects of anxiety-related communication disorders aren't always obvious.
However, research shows that kids who experience these disorders tend to have lower self-confidence, poorer social skills, and higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Communication disorders make meeting people and forming bonds difficult. This can lead to further social anxieties as your child tries to navigate unfamiliar social settings.
Moreover, it may increase the likelihood that your child will experience other emotional issues, such as depression and anxiety.
They may also struggle academically, leading to poor grades and low test scores. In addition, some studies show that children with anxiety-related communication difficulties are three times more likely than their peers without these issues to be diagnosed with ADHD.
If you suspect your child has an anxiety-related communication disorder, there are steps you can take to help improve his/her situation.
How Anxiety-Related Communication Disorders Change Over Time
Kids with anxiety-related communication problems usually start showing trouble communicating around age four or five. This is typically followed by a period where symptoms worsen until the child reaches puberty.
During this time, kids will continue to struggle with the same behaviors and thinking patterns that led to their initial diagnosis.
However, it's important to note that most kids with anxiety-related communication issues eventually recover. By middle school, many of them no longer exhibit any outward signs of having been affected by their condition.
Parents should still keep an eye on their kid's development and step in early if they notice anything amiss.
Anxiety-related communication disorders in childhood
In childhood, anxiety-related communication disorders typically cause issues with talking, comprehending others, and articulating their thoughts.
These problems often stem from a combination of factors, including:
A lack of confidence in expressing themselves
Difficulties understanding what other people mean
Poor listening skills
Problems processing information
An inability to control emotions
Difficulty controlling impulses
Trouble concentrating
Higher levels of stress
As a parent, you'll notice changes in your child's behavior over time. For example, they might seem less interested in interacting with others or get easily frustrated when things don't go as planned.
As your child grows older, he/she may develop new challenges.
Anxiety-related communication disorders in adolescence
Adolescents with anxiety-related communication disorders tend to face unique challenges. For example, they are at a higher risk for developing social anxiety, OCD, and panic attacks.
For instance, teens with OCD may find it difficult to stop obsessing over something even though they know it's irrational.
And while adults with social phobia may feel anxious in public settings, adolescents with this type of problem tend to avoid situations where they could potentially embarrass themselves.
When dealing with anxiety-related communication concerns, it's important to remember that every kid is different.
Some kids may need extra support at home, while others may benefit from therapy or medication. It's up to you to decide how best to approach your child's situation.
Anxiety-related communication disorders in adulthood
While anxiety-related communication disorders have become increasingly common among children, these conditions rarely affect adults.
However, some people do experience anxiety-related communication difficulties later in life.
If you think your adult child may be struggling with one of these conditions, talk to him/her about your concerns. You could also consult a mental health expert who has experience with children for guidance.
What Parents Can Do To Help Their Child With An Anxiety-Related Communication Disorder
It's not always easy to spot the warning signs of an anxiety-related communication disorder in a child.
However, there are things you can do to assist your child in managing the effects of the illness.
Identifying anxiety-related communication disorders
If you suspect your child has an anxiety-related communication issue, here are some questions to ask yourself:
Has my child ever shown any signs of difficulty communicating?
Does he/she appear nervous around others?
Is he/she afraid to make mistakes?
Does he or she try to escape your gaze?
Does my child struggle with social situations?
Treatment options for children with anxiety-related communication disorders
There are many treatment options available for kids with anxiety-related communication issues.
At-home exercises that help
One way to help your child deal with anxiety-related communication problems is by teaching him/her coping skills.
You can teach your child to relax by using deep breathing techniques.
Or you can encourage him/her to take breaks during stressful times.
In addition, you can help your child build self-esteem by encouraging him/her to participate in activities outside of school.
Another option is to encourage him/her to practice positive self-talk. This means talking to himself/herself calmly instead of focusing on negative thoughts.
Speech therapy
Consider consulting a speech therapist or speech-language pathologist to help your kid develop more confident and fluent speech.
This includes helping him/her overcome stuttering and other problems with pronunciation.
In addition, a speech therapist can teach your child how to help a child with anxiety express himself/herself.
Behavioural therapy
This involves teaching your child specific strategies to deal with anxiety-related communication challenges.
Your kid will conquer their fears by practising new skills in risk-free settings.
Medication
If your child is experiencing severe symptoms, medication might be necessary. Your doctor may prescribe medications, so discuss the possibility with them.
Cognitive behavioural therapy
At the core of this therapy, strategy is the modification of distorted worldviews and unconscious prejudices.
When it comes to helping their child heal, parents play a crucial role in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). First, they should encourage them to practise coping skills such as relaxation and deep breathing exercises.
They should also provide positive reinforcement when their child succeeds.
Behavioural exercises
These involve acquiring new coping mechanisms to use when confronted with circumstances that used to cause undue anxiety.
For example, your child could learn to use relaxation techniques before going into stressful situations.
He/she could also practise talking to friends and family members about his/her worries.
Emotional intelligence education
Children who struggle with anxiety-related communication difficulties often lack emotional awareness.
Teaching your child how to identify and understand his/her emotions will help him/her develop more effective coping skills.
Anxiety-related communication disorders can cause significant distress for both children and parents.
Addressing these conditions early on can help your child lead a happier and healthier life.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, anxiety disorders in children are very common, but many parents aren't aware of their symptoms. As a result, they may have trouble sleeping, feel restless, or even act aggressive or withdrawn.
These behaviours often go away when the child gets older, but if left untreated, they could lead to serious problems down the line.
The good news is that anxiety disorders in children are typically manageable, especially when caught early. However, please do your child's physician if you observe any abnormal behaviour in his or her conduct or emotional state.
The doctor will likely recommend therapy, medication, or both.
Parents can also make use of the excellent online tool called Gheorg. Gheorg is an interactive robot that helps your child to comprehend complex feelings like anxiety better.
Gheorg can help your child overcome their communication disorders through fun stories and characters. Try Gheorg today to help your kid help themselves.