Every child has things they worry about. In fact, it is a natural part of development. With babies, separation anxiety is natural at a certain age, keeping them connected to their primary caregiver and helping them figure out who their safe people are. It is also natural for children to worry about their first day of school, it’s a totally new environment. For older children, worrying about an exam may encourage them to prepare to reduce anxiety.
Usually worry and anxiety can be worked through with support from parents. However when worry becomes really big, pervasive and starts taking over everyday life, children may need a bit of extra support. 1 in 14 children in Australia are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
If your child is anxious, you may notice a number of signs. These could include:
- Avoidance or certain tasks or situations.
- Isolating themselves from friends or family.
- Becoming emotionally dysregulated easily.
- Regular physical complaints (eg. Feeling sick, tired or having a headache).
- Regularly seeking reassurance.
So what do you do? It’s important to talk with your child about the emotions they are experiencing. Try to really understand what is going on for them and how you might be able to help them. Don’t criticise them for feeling anxious, and give them plenty of praise when they do something you know makes them worried. Invest in some story books for your children that normalise these experiences. Don’t avoid situations that may cause anxiety, but rather experience them together, creating safety for your child. Remember it is better to provide education and understanding to your child, rather than label them. It is also really important that as a parent you are able to regulate your own emotions, so your child can feel safe and supported when they experience anxiety.
If you think that your child’s anxiety goes beyond what is developmentally expected for their age, it is essential to seek guidance from a professional. They may diagnose your child with an anxiety disorder. Commonly known anxieties experienced by kids include social anxiety and separation anxiety, which can significantly impact social and emotional development. Selective mutism is also most common in children, where a child cannot speak in specific contexts or around certain people. Generalised anxiety Disorder (GAD) is where children are worried about lots of things, rather than something specific. Please see your GP if you are concerned your child’s anxiety is significantly impacting their lives.
For more information, please see the following websites:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/health-daily-care/mental-health/anxiety-in-children
Free mental health resources for families – Emerging Minds
Children’s books about Worries:
The Huge Bag of Worries- Virginia Ironside
Hey Warrior- Karen Young
The Worry Monster- Catherine Cook-Cottone and Lena Podetsa
Tegan March (BA Social Work) & Meg Clayton (Bachelor of Social Work, Honours)
