In my clinic I am seeing many more children and adolescents who are experiencing significant anxiety symptoms, and their parents are concerned and even frustrated about how best to support them<\/strong>. And I am far from alone \u2013 other clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms have noted\u00a0<\/span>an increase in mental-health related visits for children under 18<\/a>.<\/p>\n The ongoing upheaval of life routines, education, and relationships has taken a toll. Combine that with exposure to fear-inducing media coverage, extended time in front of screens<\/a>, and lack of access to social support and other healthy coping options, and it\u2019s no wonder\u00a0<\/span>children of all ages are more worried, scared, and distressed than ever before!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Anxiety is the feeling of nervousness, tension, fear, or worry we experience during times of uncertainty.\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s a normal emotion<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>that all humans experience, and often is situational. Some common examples for children and teens include feeling anxious before giving a presentation in front of the class, going to a friend\u2019s house with parents for the first time, or being alone in the dark. Anxiety that occurs more constantly and intensely, and is out of proportion to the situation, may be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. The key to anxiety is the presence of uncertainty \u2013 we can\u2019t be sure how things will turn out. The more prolonged the uncertainty, the more anxious, distressed, and even hopeless we may become.<\/p>\n It makes sense, then, that children and teens are experiencing higher levels of anxiety during this pandemic period. One of the challenges for parents is understanding that\u00a0<\/span>anxiety in children and teens can look very different than it does in adults.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>It often shows up in their behavior, as I\u2019ve experienced very often over the years with both patients and my own children. This requires us to observe and check in with them to find out how they are feeling, as the root of their behavior may be fear and anxiety.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you\u2019re seeing signs of increased anxiety in your children, there are many things you can do to provide support to them. It\u2019s important to help them identify and acknowledge their feelings, and then take steps to reduce their feelings of worry and stress so they can feel calmer and in control.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While there are many strategies parents can use to support children with anxiety, there are times when professional help is needed. If\u00a0<\/span>persistent worry and fears are getting in the way of your child\u2019s functioning in any area of life<\/strong>, including things like eating, sleeping, participating in school, or engaging with other people, getting support from a mental health professional skilled in working with children and parents is appropriate. If at any point you feel like you\u2019ve tried everything you know to do, and your child is still struggling, then talking with your child\u2019s physician or a mental health provider can help you determine if treatment would be appropriate. I\u2019m a firm believer that parents know their children best. If you have a concern about your child\u2019s wellbeing, it\u2019s always a good idea to talk with a trusted healthcare provider to get additional insight and support.<\/p>\n Our children\u2019s anxiety levels may be higher than ever before, but by using these practical strategies we can support them to learn skills that reduce their worry and help them cope in healthy ways now and for the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Anxiety levels continue to run high\u00a0for children and adults alike. Both anecdotal and\u00a0research evidence\u00a0point to increasing levels of anxiety for children and teens from onset of the pandemic. In my clinic I am seeing many more children and adolescents who are experiencing significant anxiety symptoms, and their parents are concerned and even frustrated about how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" As the coronavirus pandemic continues, anxiety levels continue to run high<\/strong> for children and adults alike. Both anecdotal and research evidence<\/a> point to increasing levels of anxiety for children and teens during this difficult period. In my clinic I am seeing many more children and adolescents who are experiencing significant anxiety symptoms, and their parents are concerned and even frustrated about how best to support them. And, I am far from alone – other clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms have noted an increase in mental-health related visits for children under 18<\/a>.<\/p> The ongoing upheaval of life routines, education, and relationships has taken a toll. We also need to consider the prolonged nature of the uncertainty, as children remain in limbo without answers about when their lives will return to some semblance of normal. Combine that with exposure to fear-inducing media coverage, extended time in front of screens, and lack of access to social support and other healthy coping options, and it’s no wonder children of all ages are more worried, scared, and distressed than ever before<\/strong>! <\/p><\/div> Anxiety is the feeling of nervousness, tension, fear, or worry we experience during times of uncertainty. It’s a normal emotion<\/strong> that all humans experience, and often is situational. Some common examples for children and teens include feeling anxious before giving a presentation in front of the class, going to a friend’s house with parents for the first time, or being alone in the dark. Anxiety that occurs more constantly and intensely, and is out of proportion to the situation, may be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. The key to anxiety is the presence of uncertainty – we can’t be sure how things will turn out. The more prolonged the uncertainty, the more anxious, distressed, and even hopeless we may become.<\/p> It makes sense, then, that children and teens are experiencing higher levels of anxiety during this pandemic period. One of the challenges for parents is understanding that anxiety in children and teens can look very different than it does in adults.<\/strong> It often shows up in their behavior, as I’ve experienced very often over the years with both patients and my own children. This requires us to observe and check in with them to find out how they are feeling, as the root of their behavior may be fear and anxiety. <\/p><\/div> If you’re seeing signs of increased anxiety in your children, there are many things you can do to provide support to them. It’s important to help them identify and acknowledge their feelings, and then take steps to reduce their feelings of worry and stress so they can feel calmer and in control.<\/p><\/div> While there are many strategies parents can use to support children with anxiety, there are times when professional help is needed. If persistent worry and fears are getting in the way of your child’s functioning in any area of life<\/strong>, including things like eating, sleeping, participating in school, or engaging with other people, getting support from a mental health professional skilled in working with children and parents is appropriate. If at any point you feel like you’ve tried everything you know to do, and your child is still struggling, then talking with your child’s physician or a mental health provider can help you determine if treatment would be appropriate. I’m a firm believer that parents know their children best. If you have a concern about your child’s wellbeing, it’s always a good idea to talk with a trusted healthcare provider to get additional insight and support.<\/p> Our children’s anxiety levels may be higher than ever before, but by using these practical strategies we can support them to learn skills that reduce their worry and help them cope in healthy ways now and for the future. <\/p><\/div>What is child anxiety?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Some symptoms of anxiety in children:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
How to help children and teens reduce and manage their anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
When to get professional help<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How parents can recognize, reduce, and manage anxiety in children and teens<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
What is Anxiety?<\/strong><\/h3>
![](\"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/f1758aa4-d6e1-41d6-8079-6fec94e65b61_ADR-IG-quote33_EN.jpg\")
\n<\/div>Some symptoms of anxiety in children:<\/strong><\/h3>
How to help children and teens reduce and manage their anxiety:<\/strong><\/h3>
\n<\/li>
\n<\/li>
\n<\/li>
\n<\/li>
\n<\/li>When to get professional help?<\/strong><\/h3>
Footnotes:<\/strong><\/h3>
Further reading on online safety and digital wellbeing:<\/strong><\/h3>