Anxiety in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.

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What do I need to know about anxiety?

Anxiety is a condition that causes your child to feel extremely worried or nervous. The feelings are so strong that they can cause problems with your child's daily activities or sleep. Anxiety may be triggered by something your child fears, such as something happening to a parent or friend. Your child may feel anxiety only at certain times, such as before he or she gives a presentation in school. Anxiety can become a long-term condition if it is not managed or treated.

What increases my child's risk for anxiety?

Anxiety may happen without a cause. The following increase your child's risk:

• A parent with an anxiety disorder
• Stress at home, school, or work, or in a relationship
• Use of caffeine or nicotine products
• Certain medicines or health conditions
• Changes in your adolescent's body or emotions from puberty
• Not feeling accepted for the way he or she looks, thinks, or acts

What other common signs and symptoms may occur with anxiety?

• Nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach
• Flushed skin or sweating
• Muscle tightness, trembling, or feeling restless or irritable
• Crying (younger children)
• Problems focusing
• Trouble sleeping or nightmares
• Feeling jumpy, easily startled, or dizzy
• Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath

What should I tell healthcare providers about my child's anxiety?

Your child's healthcare provider will ask when symptoms began and what triggers them. The provider will ask if anxiety affects your child's daily activities. Tell the provider about your child's medical history and if he or she has family members with a similar condition. Your child's provider will ask about your older child's past and present nicotine or drug use.

How is anxiety treated?

Healthcare providers will treat any medical condition causing your child's symptoms. Any of the following may also be recommended:

• Medicines can help your child feel more calm and relaxed, and decrease symptoms. Medicines are usually used along with therapy.
• Cognitive behavior therapy can help your child find ways to feel less anxious. A therapist can help your child learn to control how his or her body responds to anxiety. The therapist may also teach your child ways to relax muscles and slow breathing when he or she feels anxious.
• Counseling is talk therapy. Your child can talk about his or her anxiety and other feelings with a counselor.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Xanax
• Ativan
• Lexapro
• BuSpar
• clonazepam

View more treatment options

What can I do to help my child manage anxiety?

• Be supportive and patient. Your child may have trouble controlling anxious behavior. Let your child tell you what makes him or her feel anxiety. Tell your child about your own anxiety and what helps you feel better. Do not force your child to do something he or she is too anxious to do. You can help your child feel more comfortable by starting with small steps and building up. For example, let your child practice a school presentation with a family member or friend. Then add more family members or friends when your child is comfortable.
• Encourage your child to talk with someone about the anxiety. Help your child find someone to talk to if he or she does not want to talk to a parent. Your adolescent may feel more comfortable talking to a friend who is his or her age.
• Help your child practice deep breathing. Deep breathing can help your child relax when he or she is anxious. Your child should learn to take slow, deep breaths several times a day, or during an anxiety attack. Tell your child to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Deep breathing combined with meditation or listening to music may help your child feel calmer.
• Help your child create a sleep routine. Regular sleep can help your child feel calmer during the day. Have your child go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. Do not let your child watch television or use the computer right before bed. His or her room should be comfortable, dark, and quiet.
• Offer your child a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, whole-grain breads, and cooked beans. Healthy foods can help your child feel less anxious and have more energy. Do not let your child have foods or drinks that are meant to increase energy. Do not let your child have caffeine. Caffeine can make anxiety symptoms worse.
• Encourage your child to be physically active. Physical activity, such as exercise, can increase your child's energy level. Exercise may also lift your child's mood and help him or her sleep better. Your child's healthcare provider can help you create an exercise plan for your child.
• Talk to your adolescent about not using tobacco products, alcohol, or illegal drugs. Alcohol, illegal drugs, and nicotine in tobacco products can all increase anxiety or make it hard to manage. Talk to a healthcare provider if your adolescent uses any of these and needs help to quit. E-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to the healthcare provider before your adolescent uses these.

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child has chest pain, tightness, or heaviness that may spread to his or her shoulders, arms, jaw, neck, or back.
• Your child says he or she feels like hurting himself or herself, or someone else.

When should I call my child's doctor?

• Your child's symptoms get worse or do not get better with treatment.
• Your child's anxiety keeps him or her from doing regular daily activities.
• Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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