All children feel fearful from time to time, and some may experience more than others. But if your child or teen has trouble living normally because of excessive worry or fear, they should see a health care professional. Psychiatrists and psychologists who specialize in treating kids and teens can help, and many anxiety disorders have specific treatment approaches.
The main treatments for anxiety are counseling and medication. A type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps your child learn coping skills to manage their worries. This can include learning to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, practicing relaxation strategies, and gradually facing fears in small steps. In addition to CBT, other helpful therapies for anxiety include mindfulness and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), both of which focus on teaching a child to accept their negative thoughts and feelings.
Medications can be used short-term or long-term to treat anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the medications most commonly prescribed for children with anxiety. These medications are proven to reduce symptoms, and have been shown to be safe in children. Other types of medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines, may also be used, but they are less commonly prescribed for anxiety in kids.
Medication is usually a last resort, but it can be useful for kids and teens who do not respond to other treatments. In fact, studies suggest that combining a drug with psychotherapy is more effective than either alone.
A trained therapist will assess your child or teen for signs of an anxiety disorder, including a history of symptoms and how often they occur. They will ask about when your child or teen feels their most intense symptoms, and how they interfere with daily life. They will also give your child or teen a physical checkup to make sure there is no other medical cause of their symptoms.
The experts at the Child Study Center, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, diagnose and treat anxiety disorders in children and teens. This includes generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias, as well as selective mutism, in which your child does not speak in certain situations.
While some people think that accommodating a child’s anxieties will relieve them, it can backfire. If your child or teen gets help before their anxiety becomes too overwhelming, they will be more likely to develop the healthy coping strategies they need as adults. This will help them cope with future stressors and avoid anxiety-provoking behaviors, like seeking reassurance or avoiding stressful situations. The good news is that most children and teens can learn to manage their fears with the help of family members and mental health professionals. The right care can improve your child’s quality of life and help them live more happily and independently. Healthdirect’s Anxiety and Worry page has links to helpful articles, videos, and support services. Healthdirect also has a phone service, 1800 55 1800, that you can call to talk with a trained health professional about any concerns or questions you have.