What Anxiety Looks Like in Children and Young People
What is anxiety?
Anxiety in children and young people can manifest in many different ways. It is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It is a normal and often healthy emotion. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate levels of anxiety, it can become debilitating and interfere with their daily life.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the UK, and they can be treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
What are anxiety disorders?
An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterised by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday situations. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
Generalised anxiety disorder: This is characterised by excessive, unrealistic worry about a variety of everyday situations, such as work, school, or personal relationships.
Panic disorder: This is characterised by sudden and intense episodes of fear, known as panic attacks, which can include physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Social anxiety disorder: This is characterised by extreme fear of social situations and being judged or evaluated by others.
Specific phobias: This is characterised by an irrational and intense fear of a specific object or situation, such as heights or flying.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This is characterised by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that a person feels they must perform in order to reduce their anxiety.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This is characterised by anxiety and other symptoms that develop after a person experiences a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, a car accident, or traumatic event.
Anxiety disorders can be treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both. It is important to seek treatment if anxiety is interfering with your daily life.
What causes anxiety in children and young people?
There is no one specific cause of anxiety in children and young people. Anxiety is a complex condition that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and life experiences. Some common causes of anxiety in children and young people include:
Genetics: Research suggests that anxiety can run in families and that certain genetic predispositions may make some individuals more vulnerable to developing anxiety.
Environmental factors: Children and young people may experience anxiety as a result of stressful life events such as moving to a new school or home, experiencing a loss or trauma, or experiencing family conflict.
Developmental issues: Children and young people may experience anxiety as they navigate the developmental milestones of childhood and adolescence.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, may cause physical symptoms that may trigger anxiety.
The symptoms a child or young person can experience with anxiety
Anxiety is a complex condition that can manifest in many different ways, and the specific symptoms a person experiences may vary depending on the individual and the specific type of anxiety they are experiencing. Some common symptoms of anxiety in children and young people include:
Physical symptoms: Children and young people with anxiety may experience physical symptoms such as;
- Stomach aches
- Headaches
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Sweating
Emotional symptoms:
- Feeling worried
- Nervous
- Fearful on a regular basis
- Feel overwhelmed or stressed by everyday situations
Behavioural symptoms:
- Avoidance of certain situations
- Difficulty separating from parents or caregivers
- Excessive worry about their own performance or the well-being of others
Cognitive symptoms:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Have racing thoughts
- May have difficulty making decisions
Other symptoms of anxiety in children and young people may include:
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Irritability or short temper
- Restlessness or fidgeting
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
- Difficulty making decisions
- Physical tension or restlessness
- Perfectionism or excessive concern with making mistakes
- Difficulty controlling worry or obsessive thinking
Anxiety can be a distressing and overwhelming experience for children and young people. It may interfere with their ability to participate in activities or attend school.
Anxiety can also impact a child or young person’s ability to cope with stress these behaviours can impact a child or young person’s ability to participate in activities or form relationships and may interfere with their ability to learn and grow.
What are panic attacks and do children suffer with these with anxiety
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety that can come on without warning. Panic attacks can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or chest pain. Panic attacks can be distressing and may interfere with a person’s daily life.
Children and young people can experience panic attacks as a result of anxiety. Panic attacks in children and young people may manifest in similar ways as they do in adults, with the child or young person experiencing intense fear or anxiety and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing. Children and young people who experience panic attacks may also exhibit behaviours such as avoidance of certain situations or difficulty separating from parents or caregivers.
How can you help a child if they have a panic attack?
If you are with a child or young person who is experiencing a panic attack, there are several things you can do to help:
Stay with the child or young person: Remain with the child or young person and offer comfort and reassurance. Let them know that you are there for them and that they are not alone.
Encourage the child or young person to focus on their breathing: Encourage the child or young person to focus on their breathing and try deep breathing exercises. This can help to calm the body and mind and may help to reduce the intensity of the panic attack.
Encourage the child or young person to use coping skills: Encourage the child or young person to use coping skills such as progressive muscle relaxation or visualisation to help manage their anxiety.
Create a calm environment: Create a calm and quiet environment for the child or young person. This may involve turning off any distractions and providing a comfortable place for the child or young person to sit or lie down.
Seek professional help: If the child or young person’s panic attacks are severe or are interfering with their daily functioning, consider seeking professional help. A mental health professional can assess the child or young person’s needs and determine the best course of treatment.
How to help a child suffering from anxiety?
If you are concerned about a child or young person in your life who is suffering from anxiety, there are several things you can do to help:
Encourage the child or young person to talk about their feelings: Encourage the child or young person to express their thoughts and feelings about what is causing their anxiety. This can help them feel heard and understood, and it may also help to identify any specific triggers or stressors that may be contributing to their anxiety.
Help the child or young person develop coping skills: Help the child or young person learn coping skills such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualisation to help manage their anxiety. These skills can be useful in managing anxiety in the moment and can be used in a variety of situations.
Provide a supportive and understanding environment: Create a supportive and understanding environment for the child or young person. This may involve being patient and non-judgmental, offering reassurance and comfort, and helping the child or young person feel safe and secure.
Encourage the child or young person to engage in activities they enjoy: Encourage the child or young person to engage in activities that they enjoy, as this can help to reduce stress and anxiety and can improve overall well-being.
It is important to remember that every child and young person is unique, and the best approach to helping a child or young person with anxiety will depend on their individual needs and circumstances. If you are concerned about a child or young person in your life, it is important to speak with a mental health professional for a proper assessment and to determine the best course of treatment.
What professional help is there available?
If you are concerned about a child or young person in your life that is suffering from anxiety and are considering seeking professional help, there are several options available:
Therapy: Therapy, also known as counselling or talk therapy, involves meeting with a mental health professional to discuss thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Therapy can help a child or young person learn coping skills, identify and address the root cause of their anxiety, and develop healthy ways of thinking and behaving. This can be sourced through the NHS free of charge, or you can pay privately if you require your child seen urgently. You can contact The Coping Specialist at info@thecopingspecialist.com for different options of support.
Medication: Although medication is a last resource, in some severe cases medication is required. A child or young person with anxiety may be prescribed medication to help manage their symptoms. Common types of medication used to treat anxiety in children and young people include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines. It is important to note that medication should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan and should be monitored closely by a psychiatrist, psychologist or general practitioner.
Combination treatment: Is very rare however, in some cases, a combination of therapy and medication may be the most effective approach to treating anxiety in children and young people. A mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist or general practitioner) can assess the child or young person’s needs and determine the best course of treatment.
It is important to note that every child and young person is unique and may exhibit different signs and symptoms of anxiety. It is also important to note that anxiety is a normal and common experience, and it is only when anxiety begins to interfere with a child or young person’s daily functioning that it may be considered a disorder. If you are concerned about a child or young person in your life, it is important to speak with a mental health professional for a proper assessment and to determine the best course of treatment.
