Anxiety disorders in children and young people
শিশু ও তরুণদের দুশ্চিন্তাজনিত রোগ
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, like worry or fear. In children and young people, it's an understandable reaction to change or to a stressful event.
It's normal for children to feel worried or anxious from time to time. They might feel anxious when starting school or nursery, or moving to a new area.
For some children, though, anxiety regularly affects their behaviour and thoughts on a daily basis. This can interfere with their school, home and social life. This is when you may need to speak to a professional to help support your child.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes anxiety disorders in children and young people
Some children are more nervous and anxious and less able to cope with stress than others.
Having a close family member with anxiety might make your child more likely to have it too. Parents of anxious children may recognise the signs and remember feeling and behaving the same when they were younger.
Some children can also develop anxiety after a series of difficult life events. They may be able to cope with one of these events. Several difficult events together, or a traumatic single event, may be too much for them to cope with.
Some children might develop anxiety after stressful events like:
- moving house and school often
- parents who constantly fight or do not get on
- the death of a close relative or friend
- becoming ill or injured in an accident
- a family member who is unwell or needs extra support
- school-related issues like homework or exams, or bullying or friendship problems
- becoming involved in crime
- being abused or neglected
Older children and young people tend to worry more about:
- school performance
- relationships
- health
- the future
Treatment
If your child's anxiety is affecting them, the treatment offered will depend on what's causing it.
It can help for your child to talk things through with a healthcare professional. They'll sit down with your child and talk about how they can work through the situation together.
Your child might see a clinical professional through CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). If they go through a youth counselling service instead, they might see a trained youth counsellor or psychotherapist.
Psychological therapies
Psychological therapies can help with anxiety. These are talking treatments backed by evidence, such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, can help your child manage their problems by changing the way they think, feel and react.
Your child will work with a psychological professional who will help them understand what's causing their anxiety and what might help. Together, they'll find strategies your child can use to cope in situations that make them anxious.
The psychological therapies matrix sets out which talking therapies tend to help most with anxiety.
Medication
If your child's anxiety hasn't improved with psychological treatment, your doctor may talk to you about trying medication. This is usually only prescribed by doctors who specialise in the mental health of children and young people.
Medication can help certain people, but it can take some time before it starts to work.
Complications
Complications of anxiety disorders in children and young people
When anxiety goes on for a long time, it can start to affect a child's personal growth, family life and schooling. Sometimes an anxiety disorder that begins in childhood continues into adulthood as well.
Young people living with an anxiety disorder may also be more likely to:
- misuse drugs
- experience clinical depression
- feel hopeless