Signs and Symptoms In Children with Anxiety To Be Concerned About
As much as it is common to have occasional anxiety, it is also common for children to have anxiety disorders. While estimates of the prevalence vary, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 7.1% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have diagnosable anxiety.
Children with true anxiety symptoms may experience symptoms that include:
- Anger or aggression toward others
- Avoiding certain situations
- Bedwetting
- Changes in appetite
- Fatigue
- Getting in trouble at school
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Nervous habits such as nail-biting, hair, eyebrow, eyelash pulling
- Nightmares
- Refusing to go to school
- Restlessness
- Social withdrawal
- Stomach aches
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
The frequency and appearance of symptoms can vary depending on the nature of the anxiety. Some fears (such as social anxiety or a phobia) may be triggered by specific situations, objects or settings.
Other types of anxiety, such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder, can lead to symptoms that occur with greater frequency. Children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are overly anxious about routine everyday matters. They usually anticipate catastrophe or worst-case scenarios in a broad range of situations. This makes it very difficult for them to explore and have new experiences with their family or friends.
The chronic worry experienced by children with GAD is unreasonable and irrational given the actual circumstances.
Normal childhood fears that persist beyond the age where they are expected to fade (such as being afraid of the dark or being away from parents past the preschool age) are also a point of concern. Other indicators of concern include symptoms that interfere with a child’s ability to learn, interact with peers, sleep at night or function in daily life.