Signs your Child Might be Experiencing Anxiety

Information shared from Liverpool CAMHS

Thoughts and Feelings

Constantly feeling on edge. Expressing a feeling of dread or fear of dying. Verbally stating they are worried or do not want to do something. Uncontrollable overthinking. Wanting to escape a situation. 

Behaviours

Avoidance, list-making, checking things over and over again, withdrawal, scratching/ biting nails, blotchy rash, fidgeting/ pacing, angry outbursts, emotionally fuelled behaviour, seeking reassurance, needing to be with certain people, frequent use of the toilet, rituals, panic attacks. Hypervigilant. Clingy to parents/ caregivers Find it difficult to do things when others are watching. Difficulty concentrating. 

Physical Symptoms

Problems with sleep, lack of appetite, sweating, dry mouth, heart palpitations, hot flushes, heavy  and fast breathing, shaking, hair loss, dizziness, fainting, stomach ache and sickness. 

Ways you can support your child experiencing anxiety

Things young people say help with their anxiety are:

• Writing their thoughts down on paper or in a 'worry diary'. 
• Listening to their favourite music (this is also a good resilience factor)
• Getting a hug off someone they trust, offering calm physical reassurance
• Getting a hug off someone they trust, offering calm physical reassurance
• 'A scrap box'- put all of their thoughts and feelings on post it notes and rip them all up and bin them at the end of the week/ month
• Distraction- reading a book, going for a walk, colouring in
• Reading positive quotes online
• Reassure them that the anxiety will pass and that they will be okay
• Positive self- talk and saying nice things to themselves in front of the mirror 
• Physical sensations such as smells of lavender or a comfort teddy
• Being creative and doodling
• Having a quiet, safe space
• Spending time with people and socialising
• Ask them to think of a safe and relaxing place or person in their mind
• Breath exercises that can be done together. You can count slowly to five as you breath in, and then five as you breath out. If this is too much, try starting with shorter counts.
• If it works for them, gradually encourage your child to breath out for one or two counts longer than they breath in, as this can help their body relax. 

Try using all five sense together. Connecting with what they can see, touch, hear, smell and taste can bring them closer to the present moment and reduce the intensity of their anxiety. You might think about five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell and one thing they can taste. 

Where to go for support?

• Kooth
• Clear Fear App
• Chill Panda
• Alder Hey Crisis
• YPAS
• Fresh CAMHS
• Head Space APP 

Visit the Young Person's 'About Anxiety' page