As kids head back to school from the holidays and everyday stresses begin to ramp up, Brock researchers warn that anxiety can interfere with cognitive performance \u2014 even in children.<\/p>\n
Associate Professor Ayda Tekok-Kilic and PhD candidate Veronica Panchyshyn in the Department of Child and Youth Studies say that similar to adults, children and youth experiencing worry and anxious thoughts can show psychological symptoms, such as irritability, and physical symptoms, such as sleep disturbance, and experience social and academic challenges.<\/p>\n
The researchers are keen to determine why some children develop more severe anxiety than others. They believe that individual biological, societal and psychological risk factors are involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cMultiple factors influence how anxiety relates to cognition,\u201d says Tekok-Kilic,\u00a0Founding Director of Brock\u2019s Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory and the Cognition and Anxiety Laboratory at the Pathstone Children\u2019s Mental Health Research Institute. \u201cThis relationship is also multidirectional, such that anxiety may lead to cognitive difficulties, but these cognitive difficulties may also predict anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Panchyshyn explains that anxious thoughts compete with other tasks, such as school work, and require simultaneous attention, which can be draining.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen someone with anxiety is completing a cognitively demanding task like a test question, anxious thoughts are extremely distracting,\u201d she says. \u201cAnxious thoughts can also consume one\u2019s short-term memory, preventing complete focus on the task at hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
She adds that anxiety in academic settings, which may range from difficulty separating from parents at drop-off to avoiding handing in homework to be \u201cjudged\u201d by teachers, can be misinterpreted as a lack of academic ability. This can be especially true for children who experience test anxiety \u2014 and that can develop as early as Grade 2.<\/p>\n
The researchers say it is normal for kids to respond to stressful events, but that children whose reactions are severe or persistent may require additional support.<\/p>\n
Common warning signs of anxiety in childhood may include constant worrying, difficulty concentrating, irritability or avoidance of everyday activities such as going to school or seeing friends.<\/p>\n
They also say parents should keep an eye out for warning signs that may emerge after a traumatic stressor.<\/p>\n
\u201cUncertainty related to COVID-19 is one stressor that may provoke anxiety in some children and youth,\u201d says Tekok-Kilic. \u201cIt is critical for parents to contextualize this uncertainty to ensure their child feels supported and understood.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also notes that children look to their parents\u2019 reactions and behaviour to determine how to regulate their own emotions in difficult situations, so caregivers can help by modelling calm behaviour in new or uncertain situations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important to help children understand that uncertainty is part of life and help them develop strategies to cope with uncertainty, rather than trying to always control uncertainty by limiting exposure to life events that may lead to anxiety,\u201d says Tekok-Kilic. \u201cMost importantly, make sure to validate your child\u2019s concerns to ensure they feel supported in uncertain situations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Panychyshyn emphasizes that it is important to seek help from a health-care professional if a child is struggling.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach child is different, so it may take time to find the appropriate treatment,\u201d she says. \u201cBut with adequate care and treatment, individuals with anxiety can learn to better manage and cope with their symptoms and lead successful lives.\u201d<\/p>\n