12/16/2025
Anxiety in kids doesn’t always look like “worry.”
Sometimes it shows up in ways that surprise parents — and it’s more common than you think. 💛🧠
Early signs of anxiety in children can look like:
✨ Stomachaches or headaches with no clear cause
✨ Trouble separating from parents
✨ Tantrums during transitions
✨ Needing things “just right”
✨ Avoiding new people, places, or activities
✨ Trouble sleeping or lots of nightmares
✨ Perfectionism
✨ Asking the same questions for reassurance
✨ Clinginess or sudden irritability
✨ Fast heartbeat, shaky hands, or sweaty palms
✨ Overreacting to small mistakes
✨ Emotional “shutdowns” (quiet, withdrawn, or frozen)
Kids don’t say “I feel anxious.”
Their bodies and behaviors speak for them. 💛
Simple things to try before medication:
🌿 Predictable routines (structure helps the brain feel safe)
🌿 Transition warnings (“5 minutes, then shoes”)
🌿 Practice calming skills when they’re NOT upset
🌿 Limit screens 1 hour before bed
🌿 Create a “calm space” with soft items, books, or music
🌿 Label feelings (“Your tummy feels tight because you’re nervous”)
🌿 Model calm breathing — kids copy what they see
🌿 Give choices to build confidence (“Blue cup or green?”)
If anxiety gets in the way of sleep, school, friendships, or everyday life, talking with a pediatrician is a great next step. You’re never overreacting by asking. 🤍💬
