How to recognize anxiety in your kids
With the long summer days quickly (or maybe not soon enough) coming to an end, you may be starting to prepare yourself for the upcoming school year. There is excitement around the start of a new academic season, with new first and last experiences or just getting to see new friends and be back in a consistent routine. However, some parents may be noticing a rising hesitancy or worry in their children and teens as the days left in summer start to decline. For some, this may just be a natural dislike of school, work, or structure. For others, it may be a sign of anxiety.
Some Anxiety symptoms are present across childhood development, but some signs show up differently in kids and teens. Younger children may show more physical and emotional symptoms because they are not able to identify or articulate what they are experiencing yet. Teenagers still experience these symptoms, but also show a greater emphasis on negative self-talk and focus on negative outcomes. By looking out for some of these specific signs of anxiety grouped below, you can gain a better idea of what your child or teen is experiencing.
Emotional Signs
Changes in normal mood Increased irritability
Decreased tolerance to change or unexpected events
Unexplained outburst
Emotional Intensity that is not appropriate for the situation
Mental Signs
Heightened focus on negative thoughts and outcomes
Difficulty moving away from worrisome thoughts
Negative self talk i.e “I can’t do this,” or “I can’t handle this”
Trouble in concentrating or focusing
Hard time relaxing, “turning their brain off,” or focusing on topics other than school or performance
Physical Signs
Trouble sleeping at night or sleeping too much
Always tired despite getting enough sleep
Loss of appetite or changes in eating behaviors
Restlessness, feeling on edge, excess fidgeting
Patterns of muscle tension, stomach aches, headaches, etc.
Nausea, sweating, and shaking
Behavioral Signs
Changes in school, sports, or extracurricular performance
Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
Less social interactions and isolating from friends and family
Avoiding certain people, places, or experiences
While this list is not exhaustive or diagnostic, it can provide some guidance in understanding whether your child or teenager may need some additional help in managing their anxiety. One or two of these signs in isolation is nothing to worry about. However, if you notice your child experiencing multiple symptoms that have become a pattern, reaching out to a pediatrician or a therapist can help provide tools for your child and teen to manage the anxiety they are facing.
Elizabeth Preston, MA
APC/Associate Professional Counselor
Meet the Author - Elizabeth Preston
I love to foster a safe space to explore, manage, and face the daily stressors and long-term challenges of life for adolescents/young adults and women. I use my expertise, research, and personal experience to serve two special populations, anxious teenagers/young adults and moms. The weight of feeling like I can not handle what I am experiencing is overwhelming, but it does not have to feel that way forever.
