Does my child have anxiety?

Anxiety becomes more concerning when fear or worry is difficult to manage and gets in the way of everyday life. It can show up as avoiding activities, difficulty sleeping, irritability, headaches, stomachaches, or repeated worries about separation or social situations. Some children keep their worries to themselves. CDC

Instead of only asking, “What are you worried about?” you could ask, “Is there anything you’ve been avoiding because it feels too uncomfortable or scary?”

Frequent physical symptoms should also be discussed with a medical professional rather than automatically attributed to anxiety. An evaluation can help distinguish anxiety from other possible explanations. CDC

I work with children and teens on understanding worry and practicing ways to respond when it gets in the way. We can start with the situations that feel hardest to manage. Learn about my approach to therapy or explore support for anxiety in children and teens.