Identifying anxiety is the first step to helping your child manage it in healthy ways and preventing them from damaging their mental health further down the line. However, it may be difficult to catch when a child is struggling with anxiety, as children rarely are able to articulate their emotions. Here are some signs to look out for, explained by psychotherapist and anxiety specialist, Anna Jackson.

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Listen down below, or you can also find the podcast on Spotify!

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Transcription

"Signs your child may be struggling with anxiety. Procrastination is actually a large byproduct of anxiety. Sometimes it's the fear to start or sometimes it's we can't sit down and focus because our mind is just all over the place. So if you find that your child is procrastinating a lot, be it over homework or over a rare hobbies, seeing friends, a range of things, this could be because they feel anxious.

Other signs that they may be struggling with anxiety are:

• They could be becoming quite reclusive.
• They don't want to see their friends anymore.
• They don't want to do maybe their favorite hobbies or sports.
• They could be very quiet.

It really can manifest in so many different ways. I would almost say to be very general, a change in behavior. Anxiety is so common. So it is worth asking, do you feel anxious? Asking them outright. Do you feel stressed about something? Is there anything that I can help with?"

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