Anxiety Treatment for a Toddler

Anxious Toddler

If your toddler is particularly anxious, you may need to consider various forms of anxiety treatment. Although rare, some toddlers display significant anxiety, which can commonly be treated through therapy and medication.

Types

Toddlers can express various types of anxiety disorders, although some are more common than others. The most common include generalized anxiety disorder, which is a consistent state of excessive worry. Separation anxiety occurs when the child is separated from the mother or father. Toddlers also experience specific phobias, such as anxiety towards dogs, strangers or loud noises.

Play Therapy

Play therapy is commonly used among toddlers, since they are often unable to express their emotions verbally. Play therapy focuses on allowing the child to process and express their anxieties through play, which then allows the parent to help the child overcome this anxiety.

Coping Mechanisms

Regardless of what type of anxiety your child displays, you should practice coping mechanisms together. If he has separation anxiety, practice leaving him alone in a room for longer periods of time. If he is anxious towards dogs, practice interacting with stuffed animals, then watching dogs on television and eventually interacting with a live dog.

Set a Good Example

If your toddler struggles with anxiety, it is important to set a good example and avoid being anxious around her. Do not display fear or anxiety unless absolutely necessary and do not reinforce the toddler's anxiety.

Medication

Although medications are commonly the last resort for toddler anxiety treatment, certain medications may help. Doctors commonly prescribe Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac or Zoloft, which are typically able to relieve the toddler's anxiety.

References

• Social Anxiety in Toddlers
• Anxiety in Toddlers
• Does My Child Need Anxiety Medication?

Resources

• Childhood and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders