This page is about anxiety and how you or your child can get help for it. When we say “you,” we are speaking to the child or teen who may have anxiety.
What is anxiety and what can I do about it?
Anxiety is when you feel worried, nervous, or uneasy. Everyone feels worried sometimes. Children and teens can have more anxiety at certain ages or before some events. This is normal. Anxiety can even help you do better in some cases.
What is an anxiety disorder?
Sometimes your anxiety can cause problems. You may have an anxiety disorder if your anxiety:
- Is intense
- Lasts a long time
- Gets in the way of your life at home, school, or with friends
What are some signs of anxiety disorders?
If you have an anxiety disorder, you could:
- Feel more worried than others. You may:
- Worry a lot before an event about what might happen
- Dread things you cannot control
- Find it hard to control your worry
- Avoid places where you feel worried, like school
- Feel on edge or cranky
- Find it hard to focus
- Feel symptoms in your body. You may:
- Have head or stomach aches
- Feel sick to your stomach
- Throw up
- Feel very tired
- Find it hard to fall or stay asleep
What kinds of anxiety disorders are there?
There are many kinds of anxiety disorders. Children and teens often have:
- Separation anxiety disorder. This is when you worry more than others at your age about not being with someone, like your parent.
- Social anxiety disorder. This is when you worry a lot when you meet new people or talk with others.
- Generalized anxiety disorder. This is when you worry a lot about different things like your grades or friendships.
How do I know if I have an anxiety disorder?
Only a doctor or therapist can tell you that you have (diagnose you with) anxiety. You can:
- See a doctor. Talk to your primary care doctor who can help you.
- See a therapist. Find a therapist in your area.
- Take a free screener. This is a quiz you take online that tells you if you might have an anxiety problem. Share your results with your doctor or therapist.
How can I feel better if I have an anxiety disorder?
While anxiety is hard, you can get better. Your doctor or therapist can help you with a treatment plan. In your plan, you might:
- See a therapist
- Take medicine
- Make changes to your daily life
How can therapy help with anxiety?
Therapy is when you talk with a therapist trained in mental health. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that could help you:
- Face the things you worry about
- Change how you think, feel, and act
Find a therapist in your area.
How can medicine help with anxiety?
Some medicines can help children and teens with anxiety. Talk with your doctor or psychiatrist to see if medicine is right for you.
How can I make changes to feel better?
You can also get better when you make changes to your daily life, such as:
- Do something to relax. You could:
- Breathe deeply or learn special breathing exercises
- Read in a quiet place
- Do yoga
- Be more active. You could:
- Go on a walk with a friend
- Dance to your favorite music
- Join a club, such as a club for a sport you like
- Eat in a healthy way. You could:
- Eat around the same times every day
- Eat many kinds of food, such as foods that give you energy
- Eat enough to feel full, but not overfull
- Keep a sleep routine. You could:
- Turn off screens before bed, such as your phone or TV
- Do something to feel calm
- Go to sleep and wake up around the same times
Learn about more ways to improve mental health in your area.