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Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders

Anxiety is a normal part of growing up. Children and teens may worry about school, friendships, unfamiliar situations, or changes in their lives. But when fear and worry become persistent, feel difficult to control, or interfere with school, relationships, sleep, activities, or family life, they may be signs of an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns among young people. Current national data show that approximately 11% of children ages 3–17 have a diagnosed anxiety condition, while about 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12–17 report recent symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety does not always look like obvious worry. It may appear as avoidance, irritability, perfectionism, repeated reassurance-seeking, difficulty separating from parents, sleep problems, headaches, stomachaches, or emotional outbursts.

Signs and Symptoms of Clinical Anxiety

Frequent or Excessive Worry

Worries may feel difficult to control, even when there is no clear danger.

Avoiding School, Activities, People, or Unfamiliar Situations

Anxiety may cause a child to avoid situations that feel uncomfortable or overwhelming.

Repeatedly Seeking Reassurance or Clinging to Parents

A child may frequently seek comfort or struggle to separate from caregivers.

Fear of Mistakes, Disappointment, or Not Being Perfect

Small mistakes may feel overwhelming or create fear of disappointing others.

Irritability, Anger, or Emotional Outbursts

Anxiety can sometimes appear as frustration, anger, crying, or strong reactions.

Difficulty Concentrating, Sleeping, or Completing Assignments

Persistent worry can interfere with focus, restful sleep, and everyday responsibilities.

Headaches, Stomachaches, Nausea, Dizziness, Muscle Tension, or Panic

Stress and anxiety can cause noticeable physical discomfort or panic symptoms.

Withdrawing From Friends or Activities

A child may pull away from people or activities they previously enjoyed.

Anxiety Comes in Many Forms

Anxiety can take many forms, and children and teens may experience more than one type at the same time. Some young people worry constantly, while others become anxious in social situations, fear separation from caregivers, experience sudden panic attacks, or avoid specific places or activities. The six most common anxiety disorders in children and adolescents are:

Genralized Anxiety Disorder

Children and teens with generalized anxiety disorder experience frequent, excessive worry about many areas of life, such as school, health, family, friendships, or the future. They may have difficulty relaxing, sleeping, concentrating, or managing uncertainty.

Social Anxiety Disorder:

Social anxiety involves an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected by others. A young person may avoid speaking in class, meeting new people, eating in public, attending activities, or participating in situations where they feel noticed.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Children and teens with separation anxiety experience significant distress when they are away from a parent or caregiver. They may refuse school, avoid sleeping alone, worry that something bad will happen to a loved one, or have physical symptoms before a separation.

Specific Phobias

A specific phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation, such as animals, needles, storms, vomiting, heights, or flying. The fear is stronger than the actual danger and may lead to significant distress or avoidance.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder involves repeated, unexpected panic attacks followed by ongoing fear of having another attack. Young people may begin avoiding places, activities, or physical sensations they associate with panic, which can interfere with school, friendships, travel, and daily life.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear of being in places where escape might feel difficult or help may not be available if panic symptoms occur. A child or teen may avoid crowds, public transportation, large stores, unfamiliar places, or being far from home.

Anxiety & Related Disorders Articles

Here you can explore articles from Dr. Lori Butterworth’s blog. Several of these have been published by Times Publishing Group and offer practical, evidence-based guidance for anxiety & related disorders.

How Can We Help?

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment, please complete this form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also email kerri@cymh.org or call our SLO Center at (805) 996-0535 or our Santa Cruz Center at (831) 222-0052.

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