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.