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Anxiety and Your Child

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Kids Health Watch is Sponsored by Children’s Medical Group

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Anxiety is the most commonly diagnosed pediatric psychological disorder, occurring in up to 20% of children. It typically shows symptoms before 11 years of age and often continues through adulthood. In my office, I have seen a definite increase in the number of children and young adults being treated for anxiety since the onset of COVID-19. COVID seems to have triggered two things. 

Firstly, it was not fun for children – so they have had increased symptoms of anxiety secondary to a disruption in their daily lives.  Secondly, with an increase in the number of people with symptoms, more are aware of symptoms of anxiety and are discussing them openly.

Anxiety as a response to new situations or to expected fears (darkness, solitude, monsters, etc) is a normal developmental condition. Expected anxiety starts in infancy with babies crying due to loud noises, strangers, or separation. It evolves to more “imaginary” anxiety, and then in teenage years, typically is a normal response to situations such as public speaking, tests, or intimidating social situations. It is when the symptoms of anxiety are overwhelming and begin to interfere with daily life that anxiety might need to be addressed. Your pediatrician will help determine when the symptoms might be crossing the line to help you initiate intervention.

Anxiety can be difficult to figure out in young children. It can be present in young preschool-aged children, but communication is not sufficient for those children able to describe how they are feeling. It is mostly inferred by observation of parents and caregivers. In younger school-aged children, most still cannot verbally describe their feelings very well – so they may have more physical symptoms such as head and stomach aches, which can impair day-to-day life. Teenagers typically are able to communicate their feelings well to their caregivers and also typically have a social net of peers who help them to process how they are feeling.

It is also important to recognize and help children with anxiety when they are young because most will continue to have symptoms as adults. It’s important to help establish healthy coping mechanisms at a young age.

There are several different ways to address anxiety, and no two children’s symptoms or treatments are the same. Treatments can include reassurance, therapy, or potentially medication. Your pediatrician can help determine the next steps if your child is diagnosed with anxiety.

Savannah Browning
Author: Savannah Browning

Dr. Savannah Browning grew up in Fayette, AL. She moved to Mobile to attend Medical School at the University of South Alabama in 2009, and has been a proud Mobilian ever since. She joined Children’s Medical Group in 2016, and her office is at the Airport Boulevard location. She lives in Mobile with her husband, Andrew, and their three children: Jude, Luke, and Annie.

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Dr. Savannah Browning grew up in Fayette, AL. She moved to Mobile to attend Medical School at the University of South Alabama in 2009, and has been a proud Mobilian ever since. She joined Children’s Medical Group in 2016, and her office is at the Airport Boulevard location. She lives in Mobile with her husband, Andrew, and their three children: Jude, Luke, and Annie.
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