If you’ve been wondering whether your child might be struggling with anxiety, you’re not alone. Lots of parents notice that their child seems more worried, clingy, irritable, or overwhelmed than usual—but it can be hard to know whether it’s a passing phase, a reaction to something going on, or something that needs a little extra support.
Anxiety can show up in lots of different ways in children and teenagers. Some kids say, “I’m worried,” while others complain of tummy aches, have meltdowns, struggle to sleep, or avoid things they used to enjoy. Teenagers might seem withdrawn, irritable, perfectionistic, or constantly stressed, even when they can’t quite explain why.
The good news is that anxiety is common, treatable, and children and teens can learn helpful ways to manage it. Knowing the signs of child anxiety can help you notice when your child might need support.
What Does Anxiety Look Like in Children?
Anxiety isn’t always obvious. It doesn’t always look like a child sitting quietly worrying. Sometimes it looks like anger, tears, avoidance, clinginess, or a child who seems constantly “on edge.”
You might notice that your child:
Worries a lot about things that might happen
Asks the same questions over and over, looking for reassurance
Gets upset or overwhelmed by changes, surprises, or new situations
Avoids school, parties, sleepovers, or other activities they used to enjoy
Becomes clingy or finds it hard to separate from you
Has big emotional reactions, meltdowns, or gets irritable easily
Finds it hard to concentrate or seems restless
Seems tense, shaky, or constantly on alert
Has trouble falling asleep, wakes during the night, or has nightmares
Complains of tummy aches, headaches, or feeling sick—especially before school or an event
Seems more tired than usual, even after a full night’s sleep
Anxiety can also affect sleep, appetite, concentration, and how confident a child feels trying new things. Children may avoid situations that feel worrying, which can bring short-term relief but sometimes makes the worry feel bigger over time.
What Does Anxiety Look Like in Teenagers?
Anxiety can look quite different in adolescence. Teenagers may be more aware that they’re feeling anxious, but they might not want to talk about it—or they may worry that talking about it will make it seem more real.
You might notice that your teenager:
Seems unusually stressed, tense, or overwhelmed
Becomes more irritable, snappy, or easily frustrated
Withdraws from family, friends, or activities they used to enjoy
Spends a lot of time worrying about school, marks, friendships, or what others think
Puts pressure on themselves to be perfect or avoids trying new things in case they fail
Procrastinates, avoids homework, or struggles to start tasks because they feel overwhelmed
Has trouble sleeping, stays up late, or finds it hard to switch off
Complains of headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, or feeling unwell without a clear cause
Uses alcohol, vaping, or other substances to try to cope or take the edge off
Becomes highly self-critical or seems to expect a lot from themselves
Avoids social situations, speaking up in class, or being the centre of attention
For teens, anxiety can sometimes be mistaken for moodiness, laziness, or teenage behaviour. But if your teen seems persistently overwhelmed, is avoiding things that matter to them, or their anxiety is affecting school, friendships, sleep, or family life, it may be a sign they could use extra support.
Anxiety Can Look Like Challenging Behaviour
This is one of the things parents often find surprising. Anxiety doesn’t always look like fear.
A child who is anxious might refuse to go to school, argue about getting ready, cry before an activity, or have a meltdown over something that seems small. Younger children in particular may not be able to say, “I feel anxious.” Instead, they might become tearful, clingy, irritable, or have more tantrums than usual.
Teenagers might respond differently. They may shut down, spend more time alone, become defensive, or push back when you try to talk about what’s going on.
That doesn’t mean your child is being difficult on purpose. It often means their nervous system is working overtime and they don’t yet have the skills—or the words—to manage what they’re feeling.
Physical Signs Are Common Too
Anxiety doesn’t just happen in the mind. It can show up in the body as well.
Your child or teenager might mention:
A sore tummy or feeling sick
Headaches
A racing heart
Feeling shaky, sweaty, or hot
Needing to go to the toilet more often
Trouble breathing or feeling like they can’t relax
These physical feelings are real, even when there isn’t a medical cause. If your child regularly gets tummy aches before school, feels sick before social events, or has headaches around particular situations, it can be worth gently exploring whether worry or anxiety might be part of the picture.
When Is It More Than Everyday Worry?
Everyone feels worried sometimes. It’s completely normal for a child to feel nervous before their first day of school, a performance, a medical appointment, or trying something new. Teenagers might feel anxious before exams, social events, or big transitions.
Anxiety may need extra attention when it:
Happens often or feels intense
Seems bigger than the situation calls for
Lasts for weeks rather than settling after a short time
Stops your child or teen from doing things they would usually enjoy
Affects sleep, eating, school, friendships, or family life
Leads to ongoing avoidance of certain places, people, or activities
Means your child needs lots of reassurance but still doesn’t feel better for long
If anxiety is getting in the way of your child’s day-to-day life, it can be helpful to speak with your GP, a psychologist, or another qualified health professional.
What Can You Do at Home?
You don’t need to have all the answers to support an anxious child or teenager. Small, consistent things can make a real difference:
Name the feeling gently. Try, “It sounds like you’re feeling worried,” rather than “There’s nothing to worry about.”
Listen before problem-solving. Sometimes children and teens need to feel heard before they can take in suggestions.
Keep routines predictable. Knowing what’s coming next can help children feel safer.
Break big things into smaller steps. For example, standing near the classroom before going in, or attending part of an event before staying for the whole thing.
Avoid avoiding everything. Gentle, supported exposure helps children learn that they can cope, while complete avoidance can make anxiety stronger over time.
Try not to reassure too much. It’s natural to want to say, “You’ll be fine” or “There’s nothing to worry about,” but too much reassurance can sometimes make anxiety stronger. Instead, try acknowledging the feeling and helping your child cope with the uncertainty: “I can see this feels scary. What could help you get through it?”
Praise effort, not just outcomes. “I can see how hard that was, and you gave it a go” can mean a lot.
Look after the basics. Sleep, regular meals, movement, and downtime all help children and teens regulate their emotions.
Keep the door open with teenagers. You might say, “You don’t have to talk now, but I’m here when you’re ready.” Short, low-pressure conversations can be more helpful than trying to have one big talk.
If you’d like to read more, Raising Children Network has helpful, practical information about anxiety in children.
When to Seek Extra Support
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, or your child’s worries are affecting their sleep, school, friendships, or family life, it’s worth reaching out.
A psychologist can help your child or teenager understand their anxiety, learn practical coping strategies, and gradually build confidence in the situations that feel hard. Support can also include working with parents, because you play such an important role in helping your child feel safe and capable.
At Marenwood Child & Adolescent Psychology, we work with children, teenagers, and families to understand what’s going on beneath the behaviour and to find practical, compassionate ways forward.
If you’d like to talk about whether Marenwood might be the right fit for your family, we offer a free 15-minute phone call. No pressure, no jargon.
Written Dr Rebecca Hamilton , 11th November 2026