Signs and Symptoms That Indicate That Your Child May Be Experiencing Anxiety
Are you worried that your child is too worried? That in and of itself may suggest that scheduling an appointment with a children’s therapist is not a bad idea, but if you are still on the fence please read on. Everyone worries! Research suggests that in part, it’s evolutionary, a function of survival. As our environmental factors have changed in time, so have our reasons for anxiety. Anxiety stems from biological factors, psychological factors such as temperament, and environmental factors. The question is: when does worrying become more harmful than helpful?
The separating factor between human nature and an anxiety disorder is when the anxiety prevents your child from living their life and achieving their goals. At that point, the anxiety has gone too far. Gone too far - but not unfixable.
Things Anxiety Should Not Prevent Your Child From Doing
Participating in school, recreational activities, or social gatherings comfortably
Building healthy relationships with friends, teachers, or family members
Being able to unwind at home
Being a kid!
Other Characteristics of Anxiety in Children
Anxiety displays itself in children and adolescents more broadly than just consistent worry, although that is a characteristic. Other contributing feelings and behaviors may include:
Irritability, angry outbursts, temper tantrums
Mood swings
Difficulty concentrating
Repetitive, unwanted thoughts
Crying often
Clinging to caregivers
Constant concern for others’ wellbeing
Waking at night, having trouble falling asleep, experiencing frequent nightmares
Avoiding activities that once brought them joy or that are new experiences
Low self-confidence, self-esteem
Excessive guilt
If after reading this you think that your child is displaying signs of an unhealthy level of anxiety, there are steps that you can take moving forward. You may want to seek the assessment of a mental health professional. If your child’s therapist determines that they do in fact have a high level of anxiety, they will work with you and your child to build coping skills to manage and improve their anxiety levels. They will provide you with ideas to reinforce the work done within therapy sessions and provide encouragement through support and informational resources.
I hope that you will read, “Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Children and Adolescents” if you need further insight into what the therapeutic process looks like.
Adding to your child’s advocates and expanding their resources cannot be anything but beneficial. Should a children’s therapist, after taking in all the information you provide and spending time with your child, determine that there is no cause for concern- no harm no foul. Should your child–on the other hand–be struggling with anxiety, you are adding an advocate, a resource, a teacher and a friend to you and your child’s team.
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Signs and Symptoms That Indicate That Your Child May Be Experiencing Anxiety
How Do I Know if Online Therapy (Telehealth) is Right for My Child?
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Children and Adolescents
How to Effectively Communicate with Your Child’s Mental Health Therapist
What Every Child and Adolescent Therapist Wants Parents and Caregivers to Know
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Interested in Counseling for Children & Teens?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for children and teens isn’t the only service offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Written by: Caroline Masucci, LMSW
Caroline is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) at LifeSpring Counseling Services in Maryland, and she specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, and communication skills. She works closely with children, teens, and adults.
Photo Credit: Andy Barbour, Pixabay, and Barbara Olsen
Date of download: 10/27/2022
