Signs of Anxiety in Children: What Parents Should Know. By Adrienne Emery-Ramirez, PMHNP-BC.
Childhood anxiety is common but often missed because children express it differently than adults. Instead of saying they feel anxious, children may show physical symptoms, behavioral changes, or avoidance.
Physical signs include stomachaches, headaches, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, sweating, sleep problems, and fatigue. Emotional and behavioral signs include excessive worry, clinginess, irritability, meltdowns, difficulty concentrating, perfectionism, repeated reassurance-seeking, and avoidance of school or social activities.
Common childhood anxiety disorders include separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, panic disorder, and selective mutism. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is out of proportion, persistent, interferes with school or friendships, or causes significant distress.
Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure-based therapy, medication management when needed, and family support. Clemons Resiliency & Wellness in Wake Forest, NC provides in-person care and telepsychiatry across North Carolina for children and adolescents struggling with anxiety.
Q: What are the most common signs of anxiety in children? A: Common signs include excessive worry, frequent stomachaches or headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability, difficulty concentrating, clinginess, avoidance of school or social activities, and repeated reassurance-seeking.
Q: How is anxiety in children different from anxiety in adults? A: Children often lack the language to describe worry. They may complain of physical symptoms, have tantrums, refuse activities, or act withdrawn instead of saying they feel anxious.
Q: When should I seek professional help for my child's anxiety? A: Consider professional help if anxiety lasts for several weeks, interferes with school or friendships, causes significant distress, or leads to avoidance that is getting worse.
Q: Can young children be diagnosed with anxiety disorders? A: Yes. Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed in young children, though providers consider developmental norms. Separation anxiety, specific phobias, and selective mutism can appear in early childhood.
Q: What treatments work best for childhood anxiety? A: Cognitive behavioral therapy, especially exposure-based therapy, is the most effective treatment. Medication may be added when symptoms are moderate to severe. Family support is also important.
Q: Does Clemons Resiliency & Wellness offer telepsychiatry for children with anxiety? A: Yes. We offer telepsychiatry appointments across North Carolina, plus in-person appointments at our Wake Forest office.
Call 919-578-5924 to schedule.