Understanding Anxiety in Children and Teens

Anxiety in children and teens often looks different than it does in adults, showing up in unique ways that parents and caregivers might not immediately recognize. As a common mental health concern, anxiety can impact a young person's life, affecting their schoolwork, friendships, and overall well-being. This guide will walk you through understanding anxiety in children and adolescents, from the basics of what anxiety really is to practical ways parents can support their kids. Recognizing and addressing anxiety early can make a world of difference for your child, helping them build resilience and confidence for the future.

Prevalence of Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in America and affects all ages. It is estimated by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine that up to 32% of adolescents in the United States experience some type of anxiety disorder and that approximately only 7% of youth who need mental health assistance gain access. It is also crucial to understand that most symptoms of mental health challenges begin before age 25 and start in adolescence. Additionally, untreated anxiety can lead to negative physical and social effects. However, anxiety can present itself very differently in children and teens than it does in adults.

Anxiety in Children

Particularly for children, anxiety is typically brought on by external factors such as a move, the loss of a loved one, or familial issues. Anxiety can come from a range of feelings, such as embarrassment, insecurity, rejection, and jealousy. Behaviors can look like anger, defiance, lack of focus, avoidance, sleep issues, overplanning, chandeliering, and negativity. It can also manifest itself physically, such as consistent headaches or stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, racing heart, shortness of breath, and frequent nightmares or low energy.

If you want more in-depth information about anxiety in children, check out this helpful article on GoZen!

Anxiety in Teenagers

On the flip side, anxiety for teens is usually brought on by internal factors, such as thoughts surrounding puberty and bodily changes and how their peers perceive them. It is usually guided or rooted in perfectionism. Like children, symptoms of anxiety in teens can present in a different way. Symptoms can look like reoccurring worries about routine, extreme self-consciousness or sensitivity to criticism, repeated reassurance-seeking, trouble connecting to peers and activities, school refusal or a drop in performance. In addition, teens often self-medicate for their anxiety with substance use. Anxiety symptoms can also physically manifest into headaches, gastro issues, and sleep problems.

Myths about Anxiety

Myths about anxiety remain common and prevalent. The most common myth is that children and teens are faking anxiety for attention or that they can “snap out” of being anxious. Additionally, many people believe that anxiety is not treatable or that medication is the only option available to manage anxiety symptoms. The good news is that none of this is true! Anxiety is a very real issue for many children, teens, and adults, and while medication is absolutely an avenue of treatment, it is not the only one available!

What Can Parents Do? What can parents do on their own? Respond to your child or teen with concern and  understanding! Listen to your child or teen; they need to be heard. Try to limit social media use and help establish a healthy phone usage schedule. Research shows that adolescents aged 12-15 who spent more than three hours a day on social media had an increased risk of developing mental health symptoms. Additionally, it is important to promote a healthy sleep routine and help build your child and teen's confidence from a young age. You can help model and help build healthy coping skills with your children by practicing relaxation skills together.

If you or your child is exhibiting signs of anxiety, please contact the office  at 678-856-5042 to set up a consultation!