We live in an anxiety-provoking time. Children are becoming increasingly concerned not only about issues that affect their own lives such as academic success, test scores, and fitting in, they are paying attention to societal and global issues as well. Although it is great to see a child begin to notice not just his or her own struggles, but the struggles of other cultures, communities, and the environment, their inexperience, dependence on adults, and lack of adult-level insight, can leave them vulnerable to excessive worry.
If you suspect your child may be struggling with a period of heightened anxiety, here are 15 warning signs:
1. Trouble falling and/or staying asleep
2. Repetitive fear-based thoughts that are irrational and out of character (i.e. repeating a fear that someone may break in to your home even though no one has ever broken in and you live in a neighborhood with no history of burglaries)
3. Sudden changes in mood – increased irritability, quickness to anger, and/or tearful
4. Perfectionism and an inability to tolerate failures
5. Begins to act out behaviorally and can be difficult to manage, calm down, or hold accountable
6. Excessive need for approval and reassurance
7. Extremely conscientious
8. Physical complaints such as stomachaches, headaches, rapid heartbeat, or trembling
9. Avoiding specific things he or she is afraid of (for some children, this could be joining a sports team, taking a test, going to school, participating in a field trip or play date)
10. Must do things in a particular order and very precisely
11. Excessive shyness and/or refuses to speak in certain situations
12. Worrying about getting separated from a loved one or excessive fear of a loved one dying
13. Gets upset when parents go out
14. Discomfort with being the center of attention
15. Has difficulty joining groups and trouble making friends
This is not a complete list of all the ways a child may show anxiety, but if your child is demonstrating several items on this list OR perhaps just one or two that seem both out of character and significantly disruptive, it may be time to call for a free 15-minute phone consultation with me to determine whether or not child counseling can help.
Counseling for anxious children is often short term and highly effective. Furthermore, children feel relief once we give what they are struggling with a name – calling it anxiety – and then offering some useful tools for managing it. I warmly welcome your questions and am here to work with you on behalf of your child! I can be reached via my website or by phone at 410-382-9851.