What Is Anxiety in Children?

All children worry from time to time. It’s natural for kids to feel nervous about school, making friends, or trying something new. For some, however, these worries become so frequent or intense that they start to interfere with daily life.

If you’ve noticed your child avoiding activities, experiencing unexplained stomachaches, or becoming overwhelmed by small changes, you might be seeing signs of anxiety in children.

Fortunately, help is closer than you think. We’re diving deep into the different types of anxiety in kids, what signs to look for, and when it’s time to seek support.

What Does Anxiety Look Like in Children?

Anxiety in children doesn’t always look the way adults expect. Kids may not say, “I feel anxious.” Instead, they might complain of a tummy ache, act out at bedtime, or refuse to go to school.

You might see irritability, restlessness, or sudden clinginess without any obvious cause.

Because children are still learning how to name and manage emotions, anxiety often shows up as behaviors rather than words. Anxiety can affect their thoughts, their bodies, and their ability to enjoy daily routines.

Common Types of Anxiety in Kids (With Examples)

Anxiety can take many forms in childhood, and understanding the differences can help you figure out what your child is experiencing. Below are several of the most common types of anxiety in kids, along with examples of how each might appear in daily life. Some types of anxiety can be identified through observation, while others require professional testing and diagnosis to pinpoint.

Separation Anxiety in Children

Separation anxiety in children is especially common in younger kids but can affect older children, too. It’s marked by intense fear or distress when being away from a parent or caregiver.

Think of a 6-year-old who becomes panicked every morning before school, clinging tightly and begging not to be left — even after weeks of the same routine.

Social Anxiety in Children

Social anxiety in children shows up as a fear of embarrassment, judgment, or rejection in social settings. Kids may be highly sensitive to how others perceive them and avoid situations where they feel “on display.”

For instance, imagine a 10-year-old refuses to attend birthday parties or speak in class. Even reading aloud or being called on can make the same child freeze, sweat, or cry afterward.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Children with GAD worry excessively about a wide range of everyday things — health, schoolwork, safety, and family. These worries often feel out of proportion to the situation and are hard to control.

GAD can manifest as frequent questions of worst-case scenarios. For example, a 9-year-old with GAD may constantly ask “What if?” questions like “What if there’s a fire?” or  “What if you get hurt?”

Even after being reassured, children with GAD repeat the questions and have trouble focusing or sleeping.

Specific Phobias

Phobias are intense, irrational fears tied to specific things like dogs, thunderstorms, or the dark. The fear is immediate and intense, even when the threat isn’t real.

For example, a child who screams and hides at the sight of a leashed dog at the park may have cynophobia or a fear of dogs. Likewise, your child may have arachnophobia if you see them becoming agitated even with just a printed image of a spider.

Recognizing Childhood Anxiety Symptoms

Childhood anxiety symptoms can appear in different ways depending on the child and the situation.

Physical Symptoms

Children often feel anxiety in their bodies before they can describe it in words. If your child frequently reports discomfort that doesn’t have a medical explanation, anxiety could be part of the picture.

• Stomachaches or headaches with no medical explanation

• Muscle tension or shaky hands

• Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares

• Racing heart, sweaty palms, or dizziness
  

Emotional Symptoms of Anxiety

Emotions tied to anxiety can be intense, unpredictable, or hard for children to articulate. What may look like irritability or defiance is sometimes fear or overwhelm just beneath the surface.

• Constant worry or dread

• Low frustration tolerance or quick mood swings

• Fear of making mistakes

• Sensitivity to criticism or perceived judgment
  

Behavioral Signs

Anxious children often try to avoid the things that trigger their discomfort. You might see changes in routine, growing resistance to activities, or behaviors that look like clinginess or distraction.

• Avoiding school, social events, or new activities

• Clinginess, refusal to separate from caregivers

• Asking repeated reassurance questions

• Difficulty concentrating or frequent meltdowns
  

Seek Support When Your Child Needs It

Professional support can help children learn how to identify anxious thoughts, manage overwhelming feelings, and build healthy coping tools. For many families, this includes therapy models like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), mindfulness, play-based support, or parent coaching.

Whether you’re navigating separation anxiety in children, social anxiety in children, or another form of distress, you don’t have to do it alone.

At Hearts Connected, we offer trauma-informed virtual support for children and families. Our team helps kids understand what they’re feeling, practice coping strategies, and regain a sense of safety and control — one step at a time.

Helping Your Child Starts With Understanding

When you understand the different types of anxiety in kids and recognize childhood anxiety symptoms, you’re taking the first step toward getting your child the much-needed support they need. We’re here if you’re unsure of what to do next.

Book a free consultation call to learn more about how we can support your family through anxiety, healing, and growth.