Anxiety in children continues to be a rapidly growing problem. What most people don’t know is that parents can pass anxiety to our children in two very different ways.

 

The first way our children can inherit our anxiety is through genetics. It’s commonly believed that anxiety disorders are hereditary in most cases.  If and when this occurs there really isn’t anything you can do to prevent passing this problem on to your children. This is how I developed my own anxiety disorder.  I learned well after the fact that my grandmother suffered quietly with anxiety too.

 

The second way your child can inherit your anxiety is through environmental factors. In other words, through learned behavior or simple observation. If you are openly stressed out and anxious your child can actually pick up and emulate your condition. Your child will actually learn to cope with situations in the same manner that you do. 

 

Further, if you’re an overly controlling parent you can unwittingly produce anxiety in your child. If you become too watchful and controlling, your child can have difficulty learning how to act in novel or ambiguous situations.

 

Anxiety in children can be devastating. If you suffer from anxiety keep a close watch for any symptoms and behavior your child may exhibit. That way you can seek out safe anxiety treatment for your child early before the disorder progresses into a lifelong problem.