Anxiety

Childhood anxiety involves excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that interferes with a child’s functioning. While anxiety is a normal part of childhood development, particularly when children encounter new experiences or challenges, when the feelings of anxiety become intense, persistent, and interfere with daily activities, support may be needed.

Signs your child may be experiencing anxiety

Frequent worrying – Children with anxiety often worry excessively about everyday situations, such as school, friends, or family matters.
Irritability or mood swings – Becoming easily frustrated or having difficulty regulating emotions. They might seem on edge, angry, or upset, even over small issues.
Separation anxiety or ‘clinginess’ – Difficulty separating from parents or caregivers. This can lead to tantrums, refusal to go to school, or reluctance to participate in activities without a caregiver nearby.
Specific phobias – e.g. fear of animals, medical procedures or the dark.
Excessive reassurance seeking – From parents, caregivers or friends.
Over-reliance on others to do things for them – A tendency to depend on others for tasks they are capable of doing themselves.

Physical complaints without a medical cause – e.g. stomachache.
Intolerance of uncertainty – Fear of taking risks or trying new things.
Avoidance of certain situations – That cause them stress or discomfort, such as social events, school activities, or trying new things.
Perfectionism – Some anxious children have a strong need to be perfect, which can manifest as excessive concern over getting things “just right” in tasks like homework, drawing, or sports.
Social withdrawal – Avoidance of interacting with peers, group activities, or appearing disinterested in making new friends.

For more information and support, please get in touch do discuss.

Mental health information & support

We offer compassionate mental health support, helping individuals manage emotional challenges and find pathways to stability and well-being.

Anxiety

Anxiety

Signs your child may be experiencing anxiety

Mental health information & support

clinical psychologist

Dr Adele Stavropoulos

B Psych (Hons); M (ClinPsych); PhD (ClinPsych)

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