Anxious and…

How would you finish that phrase? Anxiety is not one-word-fits-all. You can be anxious and fearless. Anxious and brave. Anxious and worthy. Anxiety is more than one word. And you are more than your anxiety.

It’s normal for children to feel worried or nervous from time to time. Starting school, moving to a new area, performing in a game or recital - these are all situations where a normal level of anxiety can actually be a healthy part of a child’s development. But when anxiety begins to affect a child’s daily thoughts and behaviors, and interfere with their home, school, and social life, it may be more serious.

Addressing your child’s anxiety early is key. If left untreated, anxiety can worsen and allow other mental health conditions to develop. Knowing the signs of anxiety in children, being aware of changes in your child’s behaviors and moods, and knowing how to get treatment for them can minimize any future complications and mental health challenges.

At Bradley Hospital, we offer varying levels of care, different treatment options, and a range of programs, in order to best treat each child’s individual needs, goals, and concerns.

Anxiety by the Numbers

Diagnoses of anxiety become more common with increased age.

The number of diagnoses of anxiety in children has increased over time.

Research shows that adolescents with untreated anxiety are at higher risk to perform poorly in school and engage in substance abuse.

• Almost 10% of 3- to 17-year-old children are diagnosed with anxiety. That’s approximately 5.8 million.
• For children between 13 and 18 years old, 31.9% are affected by anxiety.
• More than one in three children who have anxiety also have behavior problems and around one in three also have depression.
• The prevalence of anxiety disorders in children is higher for females (38%) than for males (26.1%).
• Among children between 3 and 17 years old, only 6 in 10 children with anxiety receive treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in Children

Anxiety in children and teens can look very different from anxiety in adults and can even look different from child to child. Some of the signs of anxiety in children can include:

• Irritability and anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nervousness Excessive worrying or negative thoughts
• Avoiding specific activities, situations or people
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares Excessive shyness Tantrums and outbursts
• Excessive crying
• Trouble eating or loss of appetite
• Frequent headaches or stomach aches

If you think your child may be exhibiting signs of an anxiety disorder, don’t wait to get help. Early treatment can save your child from declining mental health and worsening behavioral issues. 

Our Treatment Philosophy

Some children can learn to manage their anxiety with therapy alone. For others, a combination of therapy and medication will achieve the best results.

At Bradley Hospital, we treat the whole child and the whole family. We work as a team with you and your child because we understand that parents and caregivers know their children best.

We consider all areas of your child’s development, their needs and goals, and your family’s customs and beliefs to develop the best treatment plan for the whole family.

Our role is to give children the tools to help them cope with and manage anxiety in healthier ways and to help them make safer choices. Therapy is an integral part of our treatment plans.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one type of therapy often used for children with anxiety. The goal is to help children first learn to identify the patterns of thoughts and behaviors that negatively affect them and their emotions. They can then learn how to cope with and change those thoughts and behaviors in order to change how they feel.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy is another type of therapy used. With this type of treatment, children confront feared items or situations in a planned, gradual, and collaborative way. They approach whatever it is they are afraid of, such as talking to peers, without using forms of avoidance to learn that the situation might not be as bad as they predicted. They can head into another feared situation feeling more confident and more able to tolerate those kinds of situations.