Anxiety disorders that cause children to have physical reactions like vomiting due to fears or worries are called social anxiety disorders. Children that worry often and are seen as "loners" may be quietly dealing with generalized anxiety disorder -- often manifesting physical problems from headache to vomiting. Anxiety itself is a normal reaction to a threatening situation, causing increased heartbeat, tensed muscles and sweaty palms, but when anxiety interferes with your daily routine, treatment is required to see improvement.
Therapy
Social anxiety disorders take several forms, including phobias, panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, while often accompanied in children by other mental illnesses like depression, according to pediatric psychiatrist, Dr. Jim Chandler. Proper diagnosis requires examination by a mental health professional. Once diagnosed, your doctor will plan coping techniques specific to your child's needs. Cognitive-behavior therapy may be suggested, where your child and the therapist talk through situations and plan ways to cope.
Exposure
Expose your child to whatever is causing his anxiety, but in small, manageable increments. For instance, children rate musical performances as one of the top 10 anxiety-inducing situations, states Chandler. If performing a musical piece makes your child most anxious, have him play briefly in front of one person. Next, have him play a short piece for two people. Then, play a longer piece, and so on. Gradually work towards playing publicly. This type of behavior modification requires patience.
Response Prevention
Another form of behavior modification for coping with anxiety is response prevention. In this technique, your child prevents herself from using her normal coping methods. For instance, if your child fears speaking to people and looks away whenever spoken to, advise her to count to three instead of looking away. Response prevention techniques work best when combined with rewards, keeping a journal and using relaxation techniques. Therapy may continue for months, but requires no medication and provides your child with a great sense of accomplishment.
General Good Health Habits
Regular exercise, a healthy diet and plenty of sleep each night will provide your child's body and mind with the right environment for other therapies to work effectively. Foods known to stabilize mood may be helpful in coping with anxiety, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. These properties are found in omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods like salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds and walnuts. Provide your child a balanced diet, low in sugar and rich in low-glycemic index carbohydrates.
