As parents, we want our children to be happy, healthy, and confident. But sometimes, even when everything seems okay on the surface, our kids may be silently struggling with anxiety. Anxiety is a natural response to stress or uncertainty, and while it can be helpful in some situations (e.g., alertness before an exam or a big sports tournament), for many children and teens, anxiety doesn’t just come and go, rather, it is a constant, overwhelming presence in their lives. Youth are particularly vulnerable to anxiety, due to the challenges they face in school, relationships, and their overall development. Understanding the signs and symptoms of anxiety in youth can help parents intervene early, which can have long term benefits for your child.

Anxiety in children and teens is much more common than most people think. Canadian statistics rate anxiety as one of the most significant mental health concerns in youth, affecting 1 in 4 children. Unfortunately, anxiety often goes unrecognized or misunderstood, in part, because it can present itself in many ways, and is not always as an obvious concern. Sometimes, it’s subtle emotional, physical or even behavioral changes that are easy to miss. Sometimes parents may think it is just a phase, that their child will grow out of it, or are confused by times when the anxiety seems more manageable. This highlights the importance of recognizing anxiety’s signs and symptoms, as well as distinguishing between normal levels of anxiety and excessive anxiety.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in Youth:

While anxiety doesn’t look the same for every child, there are some of the most common signs to watch for:

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms of Anxiety

Excessive worrying is the hallmark of anxiety.
Worrying about future events even if there’s no immediate reason to be concerned.
Perfectionism manifested in an intense fear of making mistakes or not being able to do things in a perfect way especially in school-related situations.
Frequent feelings of nervousness or tension.
Feelings of helplessness or being overwhelmed.
Overthinking and “what if” scenarios – imagining the worst-case scenarios.

Physical Symptoms

Frequent headaches or stomach aches (butterflies), rapid breathing; headaches. These symptoms have no clear medical cause.
Fatigue or trouble sleeping.

Behavioral Changes

Withdrawal from social activities, such as playing with friends, attending school events, or participating in extracurricular activities.
Irritability or mood swings, such as being quick to snap at others, become easily frustrated, or being overly sensitive to minor issues.
Clinginess or fear of separation, especially in younger children; an exaggerated fear of being away from parents or caregivers.

Avoidance of situations that trigger fears.

School or social events (e.g., complaints of being sick before school or finding reasons to skip school or social events).
Reluctance to try new things (e.g., staying away from new experiences, such as trying out for a team, joining a school club, or meeting new people).

Difficulty Concentrating; anxiety can make it hard for them to focus on tasks.

Potential decline in performance in school due to difficulties concentrating and forgetfulness.
Procrastination and/or difficulties completing assignments because of a fear of failure.

If your child’s anxiety is causing significant distress or interfering with their ability to function at home, school, or with friends, it’s time to reach out for help.

Written by Dr. Sandra Mendlowitz Ph.D., C. Psych.