The roots of anxiety already appear in 14-month-old children

The roots of anxiety already appear in 14-month-old children. This is at least what a study that has been carried out for more than three decades reveals to us. The results could not be more revealing as well as shocking. In some way, human character and temperament is already visible from very early on and these traits show years later a greater or lesser tendency to stress or anxiety.

Does this mean that the most demanding baby, for example, will suffer from an anxiety disorder tomorrow? Obviously not. We cannot make such conclusive correlations. There is a link between certain temperament patterns and the risk of suffering from a thinking style marked by worry.anxiety or suffering more panic attacks, etc.

Scientists call it “emotional overarousal.”a characteristic that we can see in children already during the first year of life and that determines, in many cases, the child’s behavior over time. We analyze it.

Childish temperament, what is it?

A few months ago, scientists from the University of Maryland published a study to understand when the first symptoms of anxiety appear. This work was directed by Dr. Alva Tang and it is concluded that babies a little over one year old already show a specific temperamental style that can reveal interesting data.

It is from these styles that we can anticipate the greater or lesser probability of suffering from certain psychopathologies, such as anxiety, stress, depression… Now, Before delving into this information, it is advisable to be clear about what childhood temperament is. We analyze it.

The difference between temperament and character

Temperament is related to biology and specifically to the congenital emotional predisposition of each person. It basically refers to the way we react to the environment around us. We are therefore faced with an innate dimension that comes with us at birth and that can be observed in every baby. Just watch him act and react to the environment around him.

Besides, the character moves away from that genetic and inherited component and is linked to sociocultural learning and one’s own experience.. Now, the interesting thing is that this last characteristic has greater relevance. Because character can control temperament, it is the one who dominates it, who can modify it to adapt much better to the environment.

The latter has great significance. Thus, although as the University of Maryland study points out, the roots of anxiety already appear in 14-month-old children due to their temperament, We can always educate them and give them strategies to develop a character with good emotional skills.

The roots of anxiety already appear in 14-month-old children

The scientists of this research They wanted to understand when a person already shows the first symptoms of “emotional overreactivity.”. Now, what do we mean when we talk about this dimension?

The truth is that it refers to a series of dimensions that may be very familiar to us, such as constant worry, panic attacks, insecurity, fear of being judged, anticipating things that have not yet happened, negativity and fatality…

Anxiety disorders are an increasingly common reality, a condition that also usually precedes or appears together with depression. Given its impact, it was therefore decisive to know a little better about its trigger and its origins. So, Something that could be seen in research that has lasted 30 years is that the roots of anxiety appear in 14-month-old children.

The inhibited temperament and the anxious child

Until today there was little scientific documentation on childhood temperament and its relationship with adult personality. Now, we know that A temperament defined by “behavioral inhibition” predicts the appearance of anxiety and depression problems in adult life.

The data may seem a bit definitive, but it is interesting to understand a little more about what this temperamental style consists of and specifically behavioral inhibition.

They are little ones with a great fear of new things, even if they are toys or everyday objects.Likewise, these babies handle changes very badly, no matter how subtle they may be. They do not tolerate being with figures other than their parents. On the other hand, although the roots of anxiety already appear in 14-month-old children, from the age of two or three The symptoms may be more intense. Something common is somatization: headache, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, etc.As they grow and begin to communicate, their reasoning becomes filled with doubts and fears. “I’m sure if I go to school they will laugh at me, what will happen if mom and dad die?”Avoidant behaviors are also common, such as fear of going to school, fear of learning to ride a bike, swim… They are also children who need to sleep with their parents frequently.

If the roots of anxiety already appear in 14-month-old children, how to educate an anxious baby?

We know that the roots of anxiety already appear in children as young as 14 months. What to do if we perceive that the baby shows a temperament of behavioral inhibition?

Routines, for example, are an essential key to providing security for every baby.The development of a healthy attachment in which the child feels validated and cared for At all times it is something transcendent. Avoidant behaviors and fears must be treated as soon as they appear. For it, Emotional education is a guarantee of success.

The child must rationalize his fears, understand his emotions and manage them to extinguish anxieties and irrational ideas.. Something like this requires time and patience, because shaping the character of the adult of tomorrow requires sowing valuable seeds of self-confidence, self-esteem and personal security in today’s child.

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