Anxiety is a very common emotion in life, but an anxiety disorder can be difficult to recognize in children and teens. As parents, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of anxiety so you can help your child manage their emotions and develop healthy coping skills to use throughout their life. Let’s look at some of the most common signs and symptoms of anxiety in children and teens. While anxiety is a normal emotion, the difference with anxiety disorders is that excessive anxiety can affect a person’s personal life and mental health and possibly lead to depression or other mental health issues. Treatment for anxiety may include services that asses overall health (to rule out and treat underlying health conditions), treatment with medication; seeing a therapist for therapy to practice relaxation techniques, therapy to increase confidence, and therapy to develop other skills to cope with stress and anxiety.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Kids often express anxious feelings through physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or tightness in the chest. In some cases, these physical symptoms may be vague or even nonexistent, making them difficult to identify. However, if they are frequently complaining about physical health problems or discomfort that doesn’t seem to have an obvious cause, it could be a sign of underlying anxiety disorder.
Behavioral Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
It’s also important to pay attention to behavioral changes in your child or teen. If they start avoiding activities or situations that used to bring them enjoyment, it could be a sign that they are struggling with an anxiety disorder. Other behavioral symptoms include moodiness or irritability, difficulty concentrating on tasks, difficulty sleeping, restlessness, or excessive worry about things that are out of their control.
Verbal/Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder
Finally, pay attention to how your young one expresses their emotions verbally. If they are constantly asking questions about potential danger or expressing fear about everyday occurrences (such as going outside), it could be an indication that they are struggling with fear and anxious feelings in their life. Additionally, if they expresses feelings of worry, guilt or helplessness when discussing certain topics or activities—or if they express negative thoughts like “I’m not good enough”—it could indicate underly mental health disorders.
Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder in Children
Kids may display different signs and symptoms depending on their age group and stage in life. For example, younger kids may show distress including excessive crying, clinging behavior, tantrums, difficulty sleeping, or refusing to go to school. Older kids may become withdrawn or irritable, have reduced eye contact; they may also complain about physical ailments like headaches or stomachaches. Additionally, they may struggle with concentration or have difficulty managing their emotions. Anxiety and depression symptoms can look different in different stages of life.
Symptoms of Anxiety in Teens
Similar to younger kids, teens may also have physical health complaints (example headaches or stomachaches due to their anxiety or fear); however, in the teenage years, they are more likely to isolate themselves from relationships with family and friends as well as engage in risky behaviors like substance abuse. They are also more likely than younger kids to verbalize their worries—but it’s important for parents and other adults at school not to dismiss these concerns as typical teenage angst. Instead, it’s important for adults to nuture relationships and listen without judgment so that teens feel safe talking about their fear, worry, and concerns.
Conclusion
It’s important for adults to recognize the anxiety symptoms so we can provide our kids and adolescents with the support and resources they need to cope with their emotions effectively throughout life. With proper guidance and understanding from you as a parent—as well as therapy for anxiety treatment—your children can learn stress management to reduce anxiety in healthy ways and lead happier lives!
If you have concerns about the emotional well-being or health of your child please seek help from a mental health specialist such as a doctor, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or therapist. Mental health specialist services can help with diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and develop a treatment plan including psychotherapy, counseling, or medication.