Anxiety

Children may show anxiety through various physical and behavioral signs.

Physical symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Frequent stomachaches or headaches
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Irritability
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Recurring nightmares
• Fatigue
• Restlessness or inability to sit still
• Frequent tantrums

Behavioral signs of anxiety might involve:

• Expressing irrational fears or worries
• Withdrawing from friends and social activities
• Declining school performance
• Avoiding responsibilities

Anxiety can stem from many factors beyond everyday stresses, such as:

• Genetics: Family history of anxiety or other mental health issues can increase risk.
• Brain chemistry imbalances: Disruptions in chemicals like serotonin may contribute to anxiety.
• Stress: Persistent stress from school or activities can trigger anxiety disorders.
• Traumatic experiences: Past trauma, even from years ago, can affect a child’s mental health.
• Recent life changes: Events like moving, switching schools, or loss can impact behavior.
• Bullying or school challenges: Difficulties in school or bullying are significant stressors.

Anxiety presents in various forms among children, ranging from generalized anxiety disorder to phobias and selective mutism.

GAD involves ongoing worry that interferes with daily life. Your child might struggle to focus during conversations or schoolwork.

Physical symptoms can include trouble sleeping, nightmares, and restlessness.

Children with social anxiety may avoid interactions with peers, hesitate to participate in class, or find speaking outside family settings challenging.

Specific phobias are intense fears of certain things or situations, such as:

• Nature: Fear of heights, storms, or waterfalls
• Animals or insects: Fear of spiders, dogs, cats, or ladybugs
• Situations: Fear of going to school or shopping
• Others: Fear of clowns or other objects

While it’s normal for children to feel attached to comfort items like blankets or toys, separation anxiety disorder causes intense distress when apart from them. Signs include:

• Severe tantrums
• Refusal or inability to leave home without the item or person
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Selective mutism is when a child speaks comfortably in some places, like at home, but struggles to speak in social or school environments.

Many children and teens see great improvement when their care combines therapy, holistic methods, and sometimes medication.

Therapy helps by gently exposing children to anxiety triggers in a safe way. Common therapies include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Connects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Helps face fears gradually.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Uses mindfulness and self-acceptance to manage fears.

Therapy is usually the first choice, but when anxiety is severe, medication may be recommended. Often, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed to help ease symptoms and improve sleep.

Helpful coping methods include:

• Meditation
• Balanced diet with limited sugar
• Regular physical activity
• Good sleep habits, like reducing screen time before bed
• Deep breathing exercises

At Sammy Kim, MD, we know your child’s emotional health is just as important as their physical health. Our caring team includes a trusted pediatric psychologist dedicated to supporting your child’s well-being.

We offer same-day appointments at our clinic in Encino, CA. Call us at (818) 789-0941 or contact us online to schedule.