Kelly McCullough, LCSW
Anxiety in Children How to identify signs and symptoms As a parent, it’s natural to worry
about the emotional well-being of children and teens, particularly when kids are navigating social and academic pressures, family stressors, the impacts of screen time and social media, negative news stories and more. Anxiety is the most common mental health concern among youth, but identifying it early can be tricky. Kids often have a hard time expressing how they feel, especially if they don’t fully understand it themselves. So how can parents determine if kids are experiencing anxiety? It’s a good idea to start with your healthcare provider. In addition, below are guidelines to help recognize signs of anxiety, the difference of how it manifests in children versus teens (there are some overlapping symptoms), and when to seek professional help.
Children: Signs and Symptoms Physical or somatic complaints: Anxiety can cause physical symptoms that mimic illness. Children may report stomachaches, headaches or other physical discomfort without a clear medical cause. Clinginess or difficulty separating from parents: Younger children may be unusually clingy, not wanting to be separated from parents or caregivers, especially in new or unfamiliar situations, such as school or daycare. Meltdowns, irritability or tantrums: Anxiety can cause frequent meltdowns. Children may seem more sensitive, cry over small things or experience extreme emotional outbursts, especially in response to changes, stressors or overwhelming situations.
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Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, nightmares or waking up throughout the night. Over-eagerness to please: Some children with anxiety may be overly concerned with being “perfect” or trying to please adults. Restlessness or fidgeting: Anxiety can make it difficult to sit still. Kids may be jittery or appear to be on edge. Frequent worry: Children may communicate or express fears, such as worrying excessively about getting lost, about family members being hurt or general safety concerns. Difficulty concentrating: Frequent distraction and inability to focus on tasks may be a warning sign. Regression: Younger children may revert to earlier developmental behaviors like thumb-sucking or bed-wetting.
Avoidance behavior: Younger children may avoid school, social activities or things they used to enjoy by showing fear or reluctance to engage.
Teens: Signs and Symptoms Withdrawal and isolation: Teens often withdraw from friends or family events, which could be mistaken for “typical teenage behavior.” Avoidance of school or social activities: Teens may skip school, avoid social gatherings or make excuses to stay home. Perfectionism and fear of failure: Teens may become obsessed with academic performance or personal achievements, driven by a fear of failure. They may set high and unrealistic expectations for themselves regarding performance, including feelings of inadequacy and disappointment for anything less than perfect grades.