By Jessica Leigh Hamilton, Ph.D., and Allison E. Bond, M.A.
It’s a few weeks into the school year, and some children and teens may be struggling with anxiety and depression. If things feel harder in recent years, you are not alone. The lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt by many, but America’s youth may be suffering the most. Children, teens, and young adults have experienced increased rates of anxiety and depression since March 2020, and suicide remains the second leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 14 years old. Signs and symptoms of anxiety may emerge during the start of the school year, a period of transition for youth. The best way for parents to support their child’s mental health is to learn to identify anxiety symptoms and connect their children with mental health care when needed.
What are the symptoms of anxiety? Anxiety can look different in each person, and often, these symptoms reflect changes from a child’s typical or usual self. Some of the most common symptoms of both anxiety and depression, that can be noticed or observed by adults, include:
- Sleep problems (for example, difficulty falling or staying asleep and having nightmares)
- Avoidance of situations or activities (primarily school and those they typically enjoyed)
- Difficulty with attention (for example, trouble staying on task or forgetting instructions)
- Irritability (for example, quicker to frustrate or snap than usual)
Oftentimes, parents want to know why children are feeling anxious. But, many children and teens may not be able to explain exactly why they feel a certain way (in fact, many adults also have trouble with this). Parents can help by asking what their child is feeling physically and emotionally when they are feeling anxious or down. Do they have butterflies in their stomach, a racing heart, or sweaty palms? What words do they use to describe how they feel? Do they describe their anxiety as scared, nervous, or worried? Parents can validate and label these emotions with their kids or teens, and be a coping model by explaining times they also felt anxious or nervous and how they coped (without avoiding it). It also can be helpful to understand when or in what circumstances or situations these feelings are coming up. Is it when they are thinking about going to school? Before certain activities? Before meeting up with larger groups, peers, and or adults? By talking with kids and working together to identify symptoms and understand their experiences, parents can help their children and teens better understand their anxiety symptoms and seek help as needed.
How do parents know when to get their child help? And what do they do to get that help? If anxiety is getting in the way of school and other daily activities, it may be time to get help from experts. Accommodating anxiety (for example, letting children continue to avoid uncomfortable situations) will likely continue to make it worse. Getting mental health care at the start of symptoms is very important, as early treatment can help prevent symptoms from getting worse. Anxiety also frequently co-occurs with depression, with symptoms of anxiety often leading to later depression and even future suicide risk. Getting help early is the best way to help your child learn healthy coping skills to manage their anxiety and promote better mental health. The good news is that anxiety treatments work! Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold-standard treatment for depression and anxiety in children, teens, and adults, and there are outpatient clinics that specialize in CBT all over the country.
Youth are still experiencing the ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is essential that we are proactive in prioritizing young people’s mental well-being. While it can be hard to know where to start, you can play a critical role in helping to identify symptoms of anxiety early and getting your child the help that they need.
To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.
Allison E. Bond, M.A., is a fifth-year Ph.D. student at Rutgers University and founder of the Science Simplified Network.