Recognizing Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Children

Children can be moody. The tricky part is figuring out if your child’s moods are just temporary or if they are suffering from a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression. Your pediatrician can help. Dr. Zavala-Spinetti at Edinburg Children’s Clinic provides comprehensive medical care for children, including diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and depression. She has two convenient office locations in Edinburg and McAllen, TX.

What You Need to Know About Anxiety and Depression in Children

Anxiety disorder has several common signs and symptoms for you to look out for. Your child may have an anxiety disorder if your child is:

• Afraid when separated from you
• Very fearful about encounters or going somewhere
• Very fearful about going to school and interacting with other students
• Worried about the future because bad events might happen

Anxiety disorder can bring on some harmful physical symptoms. These are some of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety disorder for you to look out for:

• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling dizzy, shaky, or sweating profusely

Depression is another common, treatable condition affecting children. These are some of the most common signs and symptoms of depression for you to pay attention to:

• Feeling sad or irritable on most days
• Disinterested in fun activities
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Often feeling tired, tense, and restless

If you think your child might be suffering from anxiety or depression, it’s important to seek out the expertise of your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may recommend a combination of treatments to help your child. Treatments for anxiety and depression include:

• Medication therapy to reduce feelings of anxiety or depression
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy to help your child reframe negative thoughts into more positive thoughts
• Behavioral therapy to help your child learn to cope with events in a healthy way
• Family therapy to help family members support your child when he or she is anxious or depressed
• Lifestyle modification to help your child feel less stressed

Want to Know More About Anxiety and Depression in Children?

Talk with an expert to learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of anxiety and depression in children. Call Dr. Zavala-Spinetti at Edinburg Children’s Clinic. You can reach her in the McAllen, TX, office by calling (956) 331-6063 or in Edinburg, TX, by calling (956) 682-4500, so call today.