Worry (anxiety)

Anxiety means the thoughts and feelings we get when we are frightened, worried or stressed. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time.

Feeling anxious causes the body to produce adrenaline, which leads to physical responses:

Dry mouth
Pounding heart
Strange feeling (butterflies) in the tummy
Sweating
Dizziness
Tense muscles

Children and young people can feel anxious about different things at different ages. For example, starting primary school, overhearing arguing at home or falling out with friends.

Many children and young people will experience anxiety and this is a normal part of growing up. Anxiety can become a problem when it impacts on a child or young person's day to day life.

Things you may notice

Younger children may:

Become irritable, tearful or clingy
Have difficulty sleeping
Wake in the night more often
Start wetting the bed
Have bad dreams

Older children and young people may:

Lack the confidence to try new things
Seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges
Find it hard to concentrate
Have problems with sleeping or eating
Have angry outbursts
Have negative thoughts going round and round their head, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen
Start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing friends, going out in public or attending school

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What you can do

Normalise anxiety. Worries and anxiety are normal. Make sure your child knows they are not alone.
In a calm moment talk with your child about their anxiety. Avoid talking about worries just before bed.
Help children and young people to work out what they are anxious about. What are they worried will happen?
Help your child recognise when they are getting anxious. Help them remember feelings will pass and the physical sensations cannot harm them.
Make a worry box or self soothe box.
Help them make an action plan with steps they can take to face what they are worried about. There may not be a perfect solution.
Remind them that taking some deep breaths will help calm down the physical symptoms of anxiety.
Encourage them to do things that help them feel more relaxed, for example spending time with friends, playing sports, relaxation exercises.
Worrying usually focuses on the past or future. Mindfulness can help children and young people focus attention on the here and now.
Seek professional help if you're worried about your child's mental health and things aren't getting better. Speak to your child's school, GP, Health Visitor, School Nurse, or the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).