Archive for the ‘child’ Category

Anxiety disorders can effect people of all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, and age groups. Child anxiety attacks are not only possible, they are probably happening more than doctors realize. This condition seems to especially effect teenagers and can persist into young adulthood.

Symptoms of a Child Anxiety Attack

The symptoms of a child anxiety attack are generally the same as an adult having an anxiety attack would feel. A child anxiety attack may start with a psychological symptom, such as a persistent and strong feeling of dread or fear. This is then followed by physical symptoms, the same as an adult would experience: racing heart, chest discomfort, numbness or tingling in the extremities, et cetera. Also common among child anxiety sufferers are diarrhea, stomach pain, headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath.

Effects of Child Anxiety Attacks

Even though anxiety attacks generally don’t cause any direct physical damage, the effects on a child’s psyche can be very noticeable. Children suffering from child anxiety attacks often have trouble concentrating in school, and may show an overall lower ability to learn or make decisions. Often child anxiety attacks can be triggered by social situations, so the child may attempt to isolate themselves to try and avoid triggering a child anxiety attack.

There are many different kinds of child anxiety disorders: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), acute stress disorder, social or general phobias, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and adjustment disorders with anxiety, to name just a few. Many of these involve child anxiety disorders that focus on specific situations, people, objects, et cetera.

Helping Your Child

If your child is experiencing anything that you suspect may be child anxiety attacks, you should take them to see a doctor. He will be able to diagnose whether there is anything physically wrong, and if not, will be able to recommend some treatments that can help.

Generally, child anxiety is treated the same way as adult anxiety: with medication and therapy. Your doctor will be able to prescribe medications that will help control your child’s anxiety attacks. The therapy will help them to overcome the fears that are at the root of the child anxiety attacks.

At home, try and keep your child’s life as stress-free as possible. Don’t be overbearing or put too much pressure on them to be perfect. Don’t argue with your husband or wife where they can hear you. Stress from a bad home life can really take its toll on a child’s mind. Rather, make sure they feel loved and secure, and that they know they will always be loved even if they don’t get that “A”. You’ll find that reducing the stress your child feels can help their recovery quite a bit.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/child-anxiety-attacks-the-unreported-truth-709322.html

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All parents want their children to have everything they need. As a parent, you would want your child to get the very best, which is why you might be willing to work hard in order to meet your children’s needs and demands. You are willing to work as hard as possible so that your child has the best living conditions, delicious foods and all the nutrition he or she requires. You also want them to go the best schools and have all the toys they wish to play with.

As is evident, any parent would naturally be interested in the growth, health and happiness of their child. Then it is no surprise that parents get worried and anxious when their children fall sick. Presently, there are a number of children who suffer from food allergy that can severely affect their way of life.

When it comes to child food allergy, great care must be taken regarding what the child eats. The child’s eating should be monitored carefully. As children are innocent and do not have a clue about the kind of food that is good for them and the kind of food that is bad for them, it becomes your duty to watch what the child eats. However, if your child is now a school going kid, you must not forget that his classmates might eat food to which your child is allergic. You should never forget that children like to taste everything and there is nothing keeping him away from allergic foods. You cannot always keep your eye on your child, and he is likely to trip somewhere along t he way.

Firstly, histamines trigger the occurrence of allergies. Usually histamines are found inside animal dander, pollens and also in some foods. There are many people who are allergic to different kinds of food and they need to exercise extra caution. It will also be beneficial for you if you learn how exactly allergies work. every time your child takes in histamine, allergic reactions are triggered. Normally considered harmless, histamine can cause the white blood cells and the immune system attacks the histamine. This can also cause sneezing, a running nose and different swellings located at different places. The body considers this to be a mechanism of self defense against harmful substances in the body.

Some children suffer form such sever food allergy that their entire life is affected by it. In some instances of allergy attacks, your child might have to be taken to a hospital. This is the reason why it becomes necessary for you to identify the kind of food your child is allergic to.

Normally, children suffer allergy due to histamines present in shellfish and peanuts. They might develop allergic reactions to other food items, shellfish and peanuts are the main items that trigger allergies.

Identifying the cause of allergic attacks in your child’s body is another way of keeping track of your child’s diet. However, it is recommended that you seek a pediatrician’s advice in order to determine the allergens triggering off attacks in your child’s body, as they are medically qualified to conduct the tests necessary for quick and accurate diagnosis. Your pediatrician will conduct a series of examinations in the lab including skin tests in order to locate the cause of the allergy.

If your child suffers from food allergies, you should follow all the above instructions and find out what food your child is allergic to in order to give him or her a normal life.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/protecting-your-child-from-the-clutches-of-food-allergy-708847.html

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In a group of mothers there were some who would be classified as ‘Obese’. When they were asked, 95% of those obese mothers did indeed recognize that classification to be true about them selves.

When asked about their children, 79% if the mothers (who had overweight children) failed to recognize their own children as being overweight.

“A face only a mother could love”

In the eyes of a mother sometimes a child can do no wrong and obviously in the eyes of the majority of mothers they can also be blinded to what has become a national epidemic … childhood obesity. (University of Cincinnati College of Medicine)

At 9 or 10 years of age there seems to be little difference in the self esteem of the obese and the non obese children but by the ages of 13 and 14 the self esteem of the obese children is shown to drop quite significantly. These children became sad, lonely and/or nervous. These same children were also more likely to take up drinking alcohol and smoking.

In one study (Caterson 1997) it was shown that children view obesity as a disability and actually worse than losing a limb.

When children were shown different silhouettes, children as young as 6 describe the obese silhouettes as ‘Lazy’, ‘Stupid’, ‘Ugly’, ‘Dirty’ and ‘Cheats’

Line drawings were shown to both children and adults. The drawings showed a normal child an obese child and other children with various disabilities and disfigurements. The line drawing of an ‘obese’ person was viewed by the study group as ‘Less Likeable’

The incredible sadness of this unwarranted prejudice is that the obese children in the study group came up with the same conclusions.

Adolescence is hard enough, but to be in the mind of a teenager who then sees themselves as ‘worse than disabled’ as ‘lazy’ and ‘dirty’ and who as a consequence suffers from depression and loneliness and is uncomfortable in the company of others, these young years must be pure hell.

Blame the Parents ! I was discussing Childhood obesity with a friend of mine and they felt that it boarded on abuse and that the parents had to take responsibility for the physical condition of their children. I found myself defending parents and thinking of my childhood.

I was brought up in the 70’s and 80’s in the north of England. I ate snacks and sweets, I ate fried food and sugary baked goods. The difference I believe was that back then we didn’t have fast food available on every corner. The microwave was not yet big and my mum and dad made all of our meals from real food, not processed foods. For sure there was plenty of sugar and butter but me and my brother rode our bikes and walked part of the way to school. We played ball and met up with local kids to play at the local playing field. My mum was home when I got home from school and we had 3 square meals and maybe a snack before bed. My parents I should note here are absolutely awesome and my childhood optimizes how a childhood should be.

These days we have fast food on every corner, we have fast food in our schools. Most often both parents have to work and meals have to be prepared in haste increasing the use of microwaveable products. The computer and video games replaced the jump rope and the bike and our social decline has added to the parents of today being very guarded about letting their children go play too far from home or walk to the local school.

My parents did the best that they could and I believe that parents today really try to make the best choices for their kids, but they really do have an uphill battle. With all the commercials the marketing madness and misleading labeling, it becomes very confusing for the Mom and Dad of today. All the processed foods make meals very calorie dense and even if you do the best you can at home your child is still bombarded with the influences of the outside world.

There seems to be no “Child Rearing 101″ classes in the Learning Annex and if there were, they may be sponsored by one of the big food companies. In a blink of an eye the child becomes a parent and their learnt behaviors are past on down the line, which brings me nicely to the role of ‘genetics’ .. that over which we have no control.

The Apple and the Tree … If both parents are obese then there is a 73% chance that their children will too be obese. Two lean parents and the chance of their child being obese is only 9% One obese parent, one non obese parent the odds are around 42% of their children becoming obese.

Studies seem to indicate that obesity is 25-40% hereditary. 23 genes are identified, how each one works we do not know (yet) but it is thought that mild obesity can be accounted for by genetics, whereas moderate to excessive obesity is mainly due to a combination of genetics, overeating and under exercising.

The apple may not fall far from the tree but when it lands there are variables that we do have some control over that can mitigate the final outcome.

It is worth noting here than children that are breast fed for one year or more are 74% less likely to enter school overweight. The child that breast feeds stop feeding when full, the mother has no idea how much milk it has taken to get to that point but they are comfortable in the knowledge that their baby has taken all it needs. On the flip side the mother that bottle feeds really has no idea how much milk it takes to satisfy their baby, they are more likely to feed their child when it crys (for any reason) and so then their child is much more likely to be (unintentionally) overfed and some may also argue that they desensitize the child to its own inner workings of satiety, that is, the bodys own system of regulating food intake, of knowing when enough is enough.

Your parents heavily influence your basic blueprint. Adopted twins mimic their biological parents and even twins that were brought up in different homes experience growth spurts, weight gain and weight loss at the same time in their lifes, but that being said we are now living in an era where for the first time ever the children may not live as long as their parents and that is not a issue of genetics that is an issue of education (or lack of) and social change.

I strongly believe a parent, irrespective of their socio economic standing will always try to make the best choices that they are able to make for their children, but they receive no guidance, the only information they receive is the bias marketing of the food manufacturers themselves.

The obesity epidemic will take lives before they are due, it will deteriorate the quality of one’s life and it will cost the country a fortune in health costs and yet still we do not see a class on nutrition, health and disease in our schools. Companies spend and make fortunes to develop the next best medication for the symptoms of obesity. If we could just educate our children then in no time they too will become parents themselves and the lessons learnt will be passed down and maybe then we might be able the turn back the tide of this crippling condition.

Joanne Lee
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/a-mothers-blind-love-seals-the-fate-for-the-over-weight-child-714164.html

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As parents, we bring children into this world knowing well the tasks and dedication that will be required of us in order to raise them into responsible adults. We walk them though life caring and teaching them about the major facets that can affect them. Sometimes, with so many issues that need attention in a parent-child relationship, we tend to overlook smaller aspects. Child bullying, the key issue discussed here, is what we as parents may consider a small aspect of child rearing, but one that could very well be an enormously serious issue to the child. We must understand the manner in which a child perceives this ‘smaller aspect’ in life and we must be well aware and prudent in our handling of the situation.

Being bullied or the perception of being bullied may well be one of the most frightening events in a child’s young life. What makes it even more difficult is the fear the child may have in trying to talk to someone about the problem.

Every person in a child’s life must recognize the signs of bullying. Warning flags such as suddenly changing school grades, mood swings, fluctuations in appetite, faked illnesses to avoid school, writing dark poetry, and depression are just a few of the possible overtly expressed symptoms. As parents, we are conditioned to be on the alert for signs of medical illnesses such as chicken pocks or measles. However if we hope to raise an emotionally happy child we need to learn and recognize the signs of bullying and be ready to speedily ameliorate the situation.

Child bullying is a very serious circumstance that demands attention. Years back parents would often say, “They are just kids and they can handle it themselves”. Maybe a particular child can handle being bullied but today’s child is facing an enormity of debilitating peer-pressure and conformity stressors. In today’s world both the victim and the bullies are in need of help.

As a reality check of the perils of bullying, all we need do is look at our newspapers or television news and witness how dangerous and out of control it has become. Creditably, the news media is beginning to illuminate this wide spread problem as they are often the first to report the heart breaking scenes wherein a child has committed suicide or homicide resulting from the relentless bullying they were subjected to.

It is of the utmost importance for any individual who sees the signs of bullying to act positively in support of the child. If we as parents and adults do not keep an open line of communication with our children, who else do we think will?

If a bullied child realizes that he or she can safely talk to someone, that is a good beginning step in resolving the problem. They will not go to someone who is going to brush off their concerns, or become too aggressive, or blame them, the victim for the situation. They must know the person they are talking to is going to listen and help them work out a solution. Bottom line is they must be able to feel secure.

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Dr Karen
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/child-bullying-its-everyones-problem-729514.html

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STRESS FREE MANAGING OF STRESSED CHILDREN & TEENAGERS IN PARENTING

Parents’ child related stress extends to coping with children’s. Child stress is very common.

Pregnancy rates high on the official stress-scale and mothers sometimes suffer also ‘baby blues’. But, also, parents have to be alert to child stress symptoms and cope with their children’s stress –as well as to avoid becoming stressful themselves in doing so. This is common in parenting.

Parents did not use to have advice on child stress. National and international help and guidance to parents in child rearing and welfare only became available after the second world war. Parts of Africa and Asia entered the 21st century with help mostly, often only, from religious and charitable organizations. In western countries the UNICEF’s international efforts only gained generality in practice in the 1950s (when it was first theorised by Selye as the body’s [i.e., physiological] reaction when threat or danger is felt -a general adaptation syndrome which exceptionally at its most extreme is capable of leading to a nervous breakdown). There had not been any parenting advice on child stress. The parents’ job in dealing with child stress is not easy.

>>This is the gist of the generally agreed suggestions on child stress which may help…

A baby is born with fears: fear of falling and fear of noise. A child, right from the beginning, is susceptible to stress in those respects. This continues until the baby gets generally used to noise and learns to walk.

Young children may not have the vocabulary to express their fears. Teenagers feel misunderstood or have other sounding boards. In parenting these make a child’s stress, or the symptoms of child stress, difficult to notice.

Additionally, some child stress symptoms are unrecognisably mild.

Stress is caused, mostly, by a feeling of being unable to cope. This is so also in child stress. This feeling often arises from a situation the child is not used to and develops into child stress. Assure stressed children, and help.

Mild child stress also has symptoms. It may be in the form of irritability or mood changes on the part of the child. This may indicate lack of protein or carbohydrates (potatoes, pulses, sugar -fruits). Lack of these often causes mild stress. A stressed child may be lacking those.

Withdrawal indicates severe child stress. The stressed child may be being bullied.

Child stress symptoms vary as the child grows up. Being difficult indicates unsatisfied creativity. Enable difficult children creativity. Obsession or compulsion often is a guilt feeling. It may tempt to guilt transference. Suggest symbolic gestures, deeds to rid of it. These kinds of child stress are more suffered by children after they cease to be babies.

Babies dislike being alone and my suffer child stress. Be within sight as their protector.

Similarly, it causes the younger child stress if the child is alone in an unfamiliar environment. Accompany a young child to a new environment. Stay with the child, if possible, at first until the child is reasonably familiar with it.

Children’s fear of the dark is because one can best concentrate then. The child’s imagination comes into play about a horror movie or scary story. Teach the child to slightly open his eyes and concentrate on something in the bedroom. A night light helps reduce such child stress.

If separation or re-marriage has taken place, that may be the cause of the child’s stress surfacing in the form of fear of the dark. Talk to the child, explain, assure.

(But, if the child says that he can’t see well enough in the dark, it may be night blindness often caused by vitamin ‘A’ deficiency [eggs, cheese, whole milk -or cooked carrots]).

Also pubescence related guilt can cause child stress. Assure the child that it is normal and part of growing up.

Many teenagers suffer from child stress. Be a good listener to the teenager sufferers of stress. Show that you do understand. Don’t talk down, do not make light of teenagers’ dating problems. Teenagers like to be taken seriously and to be trusted.

Child stress is caused, both, the younger children and the teenagers also by what they regard as failure. On achievement oriented tasks, it is important in parenting to ensure to explain a child or that it is okay to try again.

These are the views of the experts on child stress. In parenting bear them in mind.

>>Coping with child stress may cause stress also to parents. Parents can not as easily cope with their children suffering from child stress if they themselves become stress sufferers.

Experts’ advice in parenting on easier coping with child stress is this: The adults raising children, first, should try to avoid stress for themselves. In parenting, especially if already having to cope with child stress, do rest. If at home, rest mid-morning. If you are at home and parenting young children, you should rest also for half an hour after lunch, or an hour before children return home.

If you cannot cope well, or if child stress appears severe, do consult a parenting or child stress expert.

Child stress is often contributed to because the parents ‘don’t understand’ the child. Don’t simply criticise or forbid children. Explain. Make allowance for the child’s age. Do not assume that having told the child ‘a million times’ the child necessarily understood or even that can, yet, understand what an adult can. It may lessen a child’s stress sometimes for parents to recall their own childhood…

(Verse by teacher the late Orhan Seyfi Ari…)

“Sometimes such fools we were, sometimes smart kids

Sometimes Satan’s tools, sometimes with saintly deeds”

A site with also views on educational parenting of hailed Teacher Ari orhanseyfiari.com

Eren

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