Anxiety in children, teens, and young adults
Anxiety is a normal part of life. It’s our mind and body’s way of responding to stress or uncertainty. In small amounts, anxiety can keep us alert, help us solve problems, and motivate us to take action.
But anxiety can become a problem when it gets in the way of daily life. Many families ask the same question: How do I know when my child’s anxiety is normal and when it’s something more?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It can depend upon a variety of factors, including:
- Your child’s age and development
- How big or realistic their worries are
- How long their anxiety lasts
- How much it disrupts daily routines and relationships
Help for children, teens, and young adults with anxiety
Anxiety can be overwhelming for kids, teens, and the people who care about them. But you’re not alone. There are simple, effective ways to help.
Start by creating a calm, supportive environment. Listen to your child without judgment and reassure them that it’s okay to feel anxious from time to time. When they’re ready, talk through what’s bothering them and help name their feelings. Teach them ways to calm their anxiety, like breathing and mindfulness exercises. And remember to celebrate moments of bravery, no matter how small.
If anxiety is persistent, intense, or interfering with daily life, don’t wait. Professional support can make a big difference. We’re here to help.
Learn more about anxiety at your child’s age
Anxiety in early childhood (0-5 years)
Fear and anxiety are common in early development. As babies learn to experience the world, they may fear separation, strangers, and unfamiliar places. Toddlers and preschool-age children may be afraid of things that feel real to them, like the dark, monsters, or ghosts.
What can I do?
Some level of anxiety is important to help us learn and grow. To help your child face their worries, you can take the following steps:
- Stay calm and create a safe space
- Ask questions about what they’re feeling
- Set aside a small amount of time each day to talk about fears if your child worries often
- Reassure them that everyone feels anxious sometimes, even grown-ups
- Don’t avoid everyday situations just because they cause anxiety (unless they’re unsafe)
- Teach your child to stand up to fear by “talking back” to it
- Prepare your child for new experiences by explaining what will happen
- Praise their bravery when they face fears
When should I be concerned?
Preschooler anxiety symptoms can show up in different ways. Reach out for help if your child’s anxiety:
- Is intense or long-lasting
- Keeps them from playing, sleeping, or enjoying time with family
- Causes extreme anger and irritability
- Impacts their appetite
- Shows up as frequent stomachaches, bathroom trips, or visits to the doctor without a clear cause
- Causes meltdowns due to disrupted routines or rituals
- Doesn’t get better with time
Where can I get help?
- Talk to your child’s pediatrician for expert guidance
- Contact Ohana at (831) OHANA01
If we recommend treatment, it often starts with parent-focused support. Young children can’t always explain their feelings or change their behaviors on their own. But with your guidance, they can create new, healthy routines and habits to manage anxiety.
Ohana uses a range of evidence-based treatments. We know that no two families are alike, so we’ll get to know you and your child through an evaluation. This way, we choose a care approach that works for your needs. Learn more about our treatment options.
Anxiety in school-age children (6–11 years)
As kids grow, so do their fears. They’re starting to try new activities and spend more time away from home. School-age children may worry about homework or tests, making friends, or bad things happening to their family. Even though these fears often reflect real-life concerns, they can still become overwhelming and hard to manage.
What can I do?
To help your child feel more in control of their fears, you can:
- Encourage them to talk about their worries
- Help them separate facts from feelings
- Focus on what they can control, not what-ifs
- Avoid the urge to “rescue” them from scary situations
- Prepare them for new experiences
- Praise their effort when they face anxieties
When should I be concerned?
It’s time to seek help if anxiety:
- Causes extreme distress
- Seems out of proportion to the situation
- Dominates your child’s thoughts or takes up a lot of their energy
- Keeps them from certain activities and situations
- Makes it hard to sleep
- Impacts eating habits
- Doesn’t get better with time
Where can I get help?
- Talk to your child’s doctor for expert guidance and, if needed, a referral to a mental health professional
- Talk to your child’s school about resources and accommodations
- Contact Ohana at (831) OHANA01
If your child has a diagnosed anxiety disorder, treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and parent coaching can be very effective. In CBT, they learn how to identify emotions and practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. You’ll learn how to support their progress at home.
Ohana uses a range of evidence-based treatments. We know that no two families are alike, so we’ll get to know you and your child through an
evaluation. This way, we choose a care approach that works for your needs.
Learn more about our treatment options.
Anxiety in teens (12–18 years)
Teenagers often have increased anxiety as they become more aware of what’s happening in the world around them. They may worry about how they’re seen by others, fitting in, school pressures, new responsibilities, future plans, and global issues. It’s not always easy to spot adolescent mental health signs and symptoms. Some teens may keep their worries to themselves. Others may act out in anger or withdraw from everyday activities.
What can I do?
To support your teen, you can:
- Keep communication open — ask questions, listen, and avoid judgment
- Acknowledge their feelings with supportive statements
- Encourage them to focus on what they can control
- Support healthy habits like regular sleep, exercise, good nutrition, and relaxation
- Help them build problem-solving skills
- Model healthy coping skills
When should I be concerned?
Your teen may need professional support if anxiety:
- Takes up a lot of their time and mental energy
- Causes distress and intense emotional reactions to everyday events
- Leads to isolation or withdrawal from school or social life
- Keeps them from everyday tasks, like asking for help or ordering food
- Interferes with sleep or appetite
Where can I get help?
- Talk to your child’s doctor about your experience and for guidance
- Check with your child’s school for counseling support and other resources
- Contact Ohana at (831) OHANA01
Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective therapies for teens with anxiety disorders. It helps them understand how anxious thoughts impact emotions and behavior. Changing negative thinking can help them take steps to lower their anxiety. In some cases, medication may help.
Ohana uses a range of evidence-based treatments. We know that no two families are alike, so we’ll get to know you and your child through an evaluation. This way, we choose a care approach that works for your needs. Learn more about our treatment options.
Anxiety in young adults (19–25 years)
Young adulthood involves major life transitions: moving out, starting work or college, managing money, and building relationships. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But for some, anxiety makes these changes harder to manage.
What can I do?
You can stay involved with your young adult and offer support by:
- Keeping in touch and asking how things are going
- Talking about big changes and the stress they might bring
- Reassuring them that it’s okay — and normal — to feel anxious at times
When should I be concerned?
Even if your child no longer lives at home, you should be concerned if anxiety:
- Causes distress and other strong emotions
- Disrupts their sleep or appetite
- Dominates their thoughts and daily life
- Keeps them from handling everyday tasks
- Leads to isolation or avoidance
- Triggers panic or anxiety attacks — sudden, intense fear with physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness
Where can I get help?
Once your child turns 18, you won’t have access to their medical records without permission. But you can still be a support system and encourage them to get help. They can:
- Talk with their primary care doctor for expert guidance
- Use campus or workplace mental health resources
- Contact Ohana at (831) OHANA01
A mental health assessment can help determine their diagnosis and any causes behind their anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are both effective treatment options. Therapy can help your young adult become aware of anxious thoughts and learn how to control them.
Ohana uses a range of evidence-based treatments. We know that no two families are alike, so we’ll get to know you and your child through an evaluation. This way, we choose a care approach that works for your needs. Learn more about our treatment options.
