The Most Impactful Way to Help Your Child Manage Anxiety

Whether you have an uptight toddler or a teen who’s fraught with fright, there are myriad ways in which parents can and should step in to help. We talk to a children’s mental health professional about how anxiety presents in children of different ages and how parents can support their child to help lighten the mental load.

While some may think of anxiety as a disorder that affects mainly adults, children also are affected by it. Anxiety in children and teens has been on the rise in recent years. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, approximately 7.1% of children are diagnosed with anxiety (ages 3 to 17). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a study that showed an alarming increase in mental health diagnoses in children by 29% between 2016 and 2020.

This increase underscores the importance of early intervention and awareness among parents and caregivers. No one wants the children in their life to suffer. Understanding how anxiety can manifest differently at various developmental stages is crucial in recognizing symptoms and providing the appropriate support. By being informed and proactive, parents can help address their child's anxiety and find a way for healthier emotional development and resilience.

What is Anxiety?

As reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anxiety is not one disorder but instead a category of conditions. Those conditions, as defined by the CDC, especially for children, include the following: 

• Separation anxiety disorder– Experiencing intense fear when apart from parents, often accompanied by a deep anxiety about the possibility of separation.
• Phobia– Feeling intense fear related to a specific object or situation, such as dogs, insects, or doctor visits.
• Social anxiety disorder– Feeling significant anxiety about being in places with other people, such as school.
• Generalized anxiety disorder- Dealing with persistent, overwhelming anxiety and worry that is hard to manage and disrupts daily activities without being tied to any specific situation or context.
• Panic disorder– Experiencing recurrent episodes of sudden, unexpected, and intense fear, accompanied by symptoms such as a racing heart, difficulty breathing, and feelings of dizziness, shakiness, or sweating.

How Does Anxiety Present in Children?

What does anxiety look like for children and teens? Does it present itself the same way it does in adults? We turn to Clinical Psychologist Dr. James Thatcher of Forest Psychological Clinic in Portland, Oregon, for answers. You can learn more about the practice on Instagram and Dr. Thatcher on YouTube. Dr. Thatcher breaks down how anxiety can present for children in different age groups. 

According to Dr Thatcher, research from the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology indicates that approximately 10-15% of children experience significant anxiety symptoms during this developmental period.

Early Childhood (0-5 years)

Anxiety typically presents as:

• Separation anxiety
• Specific phobias
• Generalized fear of unfamiliar environments
• Excessive clinging to caregivers

School-Age Children (6-12 years)

Common anxiety presentations include:

• Social anxiety
• Performance-related fears
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Specific academic or social performance anxieties

Dr. Thatcher explains that there is a longitudinal study in the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine that found untreated childhood anxiety can lead to long-term mental health challenges.

Adolescence (13-18 years)

Anxiety manifestations evolve to include:

• Social performance anxiety
• Complex emotional regulation difficulties
• Panic disorder emergence
• Increased risk of co-occurring depression

While each child and teen is unique, these guidelines can be helpful for parents and caregivers to consider.

What Can Parents Do to Help?

As a parent or caregiver, you might be wondering how to support your child with anxiety. The good news is that there are several effective strategies you can implement. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, there are many things families can do to help children manage anxiety: 

• Identify triggers
• Validate and empathize
• Challenge unhelpful thinking
• Practice deep breathing
• Break down tasks
• Role-play
• Build overall confidence

Dr. Thatcher also suggests several parental support strategies, which are essential for helping children navigate their anxiety and develop effective coping mechanisms.

Evidence-Based Interventions:

• Validate emotional experiences
• Teach cognitive reframing techniques
• Encourage gradual exposure to anxiety triggers
• Model healthy emotional regulation
• Consider professional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

According to Yale Medicine, a comprehensive medical evaluation and diagnostic workup are needed for children to ensure a thorough understanding of their needs. This process typically involves a detailed assessment of the child's medical history, behavioral patterns, and any specific concerns that may have arisen.

Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their child's medical care, as physician referrals are not always necessary to get a medical diagnosis. Parents can directly request an appointment, making it easier for them to seek help when they observe signs of anxiety or other mental health issues in their child.

Conclusion

We live in a world that often feels overwhelming for us all, and the mental health of our children is more crucial than ever. With anxiety affecting a significant portion of young people, understanding how it manifests at different developmental stages is vital for parents. By recognizing the signs of anxiety, from separation fears in toddlers to social performance anxiety in teens, parents can take proactive steps to support their children.

Engaging with mental health professionals like Dr. James Thatcher helps provide valuable insights and evidence-based strategies that can empower families. Through validation, emotional support, and practical interventions, parents can help their children navigate their fears, build resilience, and foster a healthier mindset. 

Early intervention and ongoing family support can make a profound difference, helping children not only to cope with anxiety but also to thrive as they grow. Prioritizing mental health is an investment in a child's future, equipping them with the tools they need to face challenges with confidence, courage, and pride.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/BrianAJackson.