It can be normal for everyone to experience some anxiety as a part of life. You might feel anxious about a deadline at work, conflict with family or friends, moving to a new house, or other life experiences. Children also experience anxiety. They may feel anxious about taking a test, basketball tryouts or the school dance. These moments occur for everyone and stem from feelings of excitement, joy, fear or uncertainty.

When these feelings are no longer temporary and become so big that they’re difficult to manage, that is a sign of an anxiety disorder. With an anxiety disorder, the anxiety gets worse over time and doesn’t go away. It may grow so severe that the symptoms interfere with everyday activities and are reducing a child’s quality of life.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders in children. With treatment and ongoing support, the symptoms can be significantly reduced or eliminated for most children.

Signs and Symptoms

It can be difficult for a child to understand and explain what they are feeling so it’s very important for caregivers to pay close attention to behaviors. Below is a list of behaviors that may indicate a child or teen is struggling with anxiety.

• Changes in eating habits (such as eating a lot more or a lot less)
• Changes in sleeping habits (such as sleeping more, insomnia or frequent bad dreams)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Complaints of stomach or body aches that aren’t due to a physical problem
• Becoming angry or irritated very easily
• Acting out more than usual, having outbursts
• Feeling restless or fidgety
• Constantly worrying or having negative thoughts
• Crying a lot more than usual
• Clingy behavior or constantly wanting to be held

Types of Anxiety Disorders

The most common types of anxiety that we diagnose and treat in the children and teens we serve include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Phobias
• Social Anxiety
• Separation Anxiety
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

What You Can Do to Help

If you know a child who is struggling with anxiety, here are some ways you can support them:

• Remain calm in front of them. They are often observing how the adults around them react in new, uncertain or stressful situations.

• Teach them ways to self-cope and problem solve when they are in a situation that is making them anxious.

• Don’t encourage them to avoid the situations, people, places or things that give them anxiety. While this may temporarily make them feel better, it will cause the anxiety around those fears to grow larger.

• Help them with some anxiety soothing techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or other healthy activities that you know help them regulate their emotions.

• Seek professional help. It’s important to have a physician or licensed mental health professional examine the child for an accurate assessment and diagnosis of their physical and mental health.

KVC Missouri Children’s Mental Health Can Help

KVC Missouri provides the most comprehensive continuum of child and family services across the state, including family strengthening services, foster care case management, foster parent training and licensing, community-based services and residential children’s mental health treatment, K-12 therapeutic education, therapeutic adventure and wilderness programs and more. With regional campuses in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia and St. James, our 800+ team members bring innovative quality care models, clinical expertise, exceptional outcomes and groundbreaking work in trauma-informed care. Our broad continuum of care means that children can access mental health services from the least intensive, community-based care to the most intensive, residential treatment programs, receiving an individualized care plan from highly skilled behavioral health professionals.

Here are some KVC Missouri resources to help you understand and cope with anxiety: 

• Find out how adventure and wilderness programs can help a child overcome mental health challenges and experience personal growth
• Music therapy can help sooth anxiety
• Learn what to expect when admitting your child for mental health residential treatment
• Discover how we are leading change to address the children’s mental health crisis in Missouri

Here’s a list of additional resources you can contact for help:

• Call the child’s primary care physician or your local community mental health center
• Visit the Anxiety & Depression Association of America website at adaa.org
• Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 support from the Crisis Text Line
• Call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 800-950-6264 or visit their website at nami.org
• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 988lifeline.org
• Learn more about anxiety disorders from the Child Mind Institute