Anxiety in 7-13 year olds
Anxiety in Children 
Difficulties managing negative emotions like anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues that affect children. Around 1 in 10 children have an emotional health disorder and this can cause children to perform below their best, have fewer friends, and miss out on activities that other children enjoy like sleepovers. Parents of children who struggle managing anxiety and depression often report that they must change the way the family works day to day so that their child does not get upset. In the long term, these children are more likely to have mental health problems throughout their life and they often have difficulty making the transition to employment and independent living.
There are many different fears, worries and feelings that children can find challenging such as:
- Worrying that something bad will happen and finding it difficult to be away from mum and dad.
- Being extremely shy, worrying about what others think of them and avoiding activities like parties, asking for help or speaking in front of the class.
- Worrying a lot about everyday matters like school work, family, being on time and world events.
- Having to repeat actions or thoughts over and over to stop feeling bad.
- Feeling distressed, having nightmares and being scared after a traumatic event.
- Feeling sad, low in energy, unmotivated, down on themselves and like there is nothing to look forward to in life.
- Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing and panic can all be a part of these feelings.
How do I know if my child’s anxiety is normal?
Most children have fears or worries of some form. To work out whether your child’s anxiety is normal, ask yourself the following question: Is my child’s anxiety stopping him from doing things he wants to be able to do or interfering with his friendships, schoolwork or family life? If the answer to this important question is “Yes a great deal!” then consider seeking professional help. Anxiety that is severe can impact on a child’s health and happiness. Some anxious children will grow out of their fears. Other children, unless they receive treatment, will continue to experience interference from their anxiety and subsequent problems throughout their lives.
Other questions to ask are:
- Do most other children the same age also have the same fear or worry? For example, it is normal for most children to experience separation fears when going to preschool or school for the first time. This fear is less normal at age 8 for example and may prompt you to seek help.
- How severe is my child’s reaction? If a child is inconsolable or extremely distressed and hard to settle, this can start to interfere with the child’s and the family’s routine and is another reason to seek help.
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To find out more about the emotional health of children, click here.
