Early Childhood Agoraphobia

It's very possible to have early childhood agoraphobia. Anxiety disorders are not an 'adult illness'. The problem is, they can be quite difficult to spot in children. The good news is that it's treatable.

In a child, it can be present for a long time, possibly even years. It's also difficult for parents because they may think that their child is 'just like that' and will be alright 'one of these days'.

It's quite possible that certain events in a child's young life could bring about agoraphobia or other anxiety disorders. For example, if they go through some form of abuse, they may end up developing an anxiety disorder.

These early and possibly traumatic events can affect their actions and relationships as adults. And if they are the child of a parent who also happens to have an anxiety disorder, the risk would be greater.

You May Need To Be Cruel To Be Kind

As a parent of an agoraphobic child, you may need to be a little cruel to your child (in a positive way) if you want to help them. It may be just as hard on you.

For example, if they need to be exposed to panic-provoking situations and they cry out for your help, it's best not to 'save' them from their fear, but to allow it to naturally happen. By all means, be there for them, but in a guiding way.

By intervening, by giving in and rescuing them, you will actually cause more damage to your child. They need to be exposed to the fear, so they realize for themselves that no harm will happen.

Nature will take its course. More and more successes will slowly extinguish the fear. The hardship must be faced before the good times can be enjoyed. Giving in to the child prolongs their agony.

Children with agoraphobia may not want to go to school. They may come up with excuses about aches and pains. These aches and pains may actually be genuine.

Make sure that a doctor can confirm that there is nothing physically wrong. Anxiety can come in the form of dizziness, tummy troubles or something else. Anxiety and panic mimic other conditions.

Effective And Helpful Options For Early Childhood Agoraphobia

Once diagnosed, help is quite effective. CBT, medication, homeopathy, hypnosis or other forms of treatment have shown success. A combination of CBT and medication is generally quite effective.

Although early childhood agoraphobia will be difficult and frightening for your child, as a parent, unfortunately, you will have to do a really hard thing by 'allowing' them to go through it.

This will be incredibly hard for you. But the reward is that your child will gain back their childhood, which was unfairly taken away from them. Help them get it back.

Go to Diagnosing Anxiety Disorders In Children

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