Get help with your child's anxiety
If your child is struggling with anxiety it can be hard to know how best to support them. We’ll start by listening to understand what they're experiencing. Then we'll help you and your child find a personalised path forward.
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Child anxiety symptoms
Most children will experience anxiety from time to time, especially when there are unsettling changes like moving schools. Sometimes however, a child might feel anxious more often to the point where it starts to interfere with their daily lives. As well as affecting their emotions, anxiety can have physical symptoms in the body too. You might recognise some of these symptoms of anxiety in your child:
they often feel worried, fearful or nervous
they're restless and agitated, and might have problems concentrating
they wake up in the night, and perhaps have bad dreams
they seem irritable, or have angry outbursts
they avoid everyday activities
they become tearful or clingy
It can be really hard to see your child experiencing these symptoms, but all types of anxiety are treatable with the right support, and we're here to help.
Step by step on getting support for children with anxiety
Anxiety disorders in children and young people
There are different types of anxiety disorder. On the surface, they can look and feel similar, making it hard to distinguish one from another. Whatever your child is experiencing, we can help them overcome their challenges and regain control.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Children with GAD often experience excessive worry about everyday matters, such as school performance or family issues.
They may find it challenging to relax and may also show physical symptoms like headaches or stomach-aches.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterised by sudden and intense episodes of fear, known as panic attacks.
These can include symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, or feelings of losing control, often triggered without warning.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety involves an intense fear of social situations, such as speaking in class or attending social events.
Children may avoid activities involving peers or express fear of being judged or embarrassed.
Other types of anxiety disorders in children and young people
Separation anxiety: A strong fear of being away from caregivers, leading to excessive attachment or distress during drop-offs at school or other activities.
Phobias: Intense and irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as dogs, heights, or the dark, often resulting in avoidance behaviour.
About anxiety in children and teenagers
What is the difference between fear and anxiety?
There may be overlap in your child experiencing fear or anxiety, making it harder to know when it goes beyond natural and, often helpful, responses to danger. Fear is an emotional response to a real and imminent threat or perceived danger, while anxiety is anticipation of a threat that is not yet present. Fear exists to help us, triggering a fight-or-flight response to remove us from unsafe environments or situations. Anxiety is more often seen in vigilant, cautious, anticipatory or avoidant behaviours in preparation for future danger that may or may not arise.
What causes anxiety in children?
Anxiety in children can arise from a range of factors. Many things can make children feel anxious at different ages. These worries may just stem from the normal worries associated with growing up, or they may be symptoms of an anxiety disorder that could benefit from professional help.
Younger children may experience separation anxiety or social anxiety, while older children may develop anxious feelings due to stress from academic pressures or social relationships.
Some children may be more prone to anxiety due to family history or underlying conditions such as ADHD, autism, or OCD. Identifying and understanding these causes is key to providing effective support and intervention.
How to support children with anxiety
To effectively support children who are experiencing anxiety, it's vital for parents to understand the underlying causes and to work with their child to develop effective coping strategies, which may include:
Encouraging open communication: Ask your child to express their worries and fears and to open up to you about their thoughts and feelings.
Establishing a routine: A structured routine can help children feel more secure and in control, providing stability in their daily lives.
Time to relax: Daily times that children can relax and engage in enjoyable leisure activities without judgement or external demands, for example a personal hobby.
Engaging in physical activity: Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety and boost self-esteem and confidence.
Seeking professional support: If your child's anxiety is causing significant distress or disruption to their life, it is important to seek the support of a mental health professional. This may include therapy, an assessment, or medication.
If you are interested in exploring private services with us or want to learn more about the support we can offer, you can request more information below.
Or, call us today: 0203 326 9160
We work with several leading medical insurance providers, subject to policy terms and eligibility.
We also offer NHS Right to Choose services for adults and for children.
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