Clinical resources for anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in children. In Australia, around 1 in 14 children and young people in Australia experience and anxiety disorder.  

When addressed early, anxiety disorders can be managed more effectively and the risk of long-term challenges into adulthood can be reduced. As part of the Children’s Campus Mental Health Strategy, we are working on several projects that aim to improve care for children and young people experiencing common mental health conditions and concerns, like anxiety. 

We have developed a suite of resources to help clinicians and caregivers to better support children and young people with anxiety. These resources include a clinical practice guideline, quick reference resources and guides to navigate all stages of assessment, treatment and management.  

Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for Anxiety in Children and Young People 

This evidence-based guideline is intended to be used by clinicians, including medical and allied health professionals, nurses, pharmacists, educators, psychosocial support workers, and other professionals involved in the care of children and young people with anxiety.  

Professionals with appropriate training and credentials can use this guideline to inform identification, assessment, management and support for children, young people, and their families with anxiety while working within their scope of practice. This guideline is tailored for use in a clinical context. 

Support resources to help clinicians use this guideline:  

• The Royal Children’s Hospital Clinical Practice Guide ‘Anxiety: identification and management’ 
  
  
• Anxiety Quick Reference Flowchart
  
  
• Technical Evidence Report 
  
  
• Public consultation feedback responses 

Information about anxiety for families

Feeling anxious is a normal experience for children as they develop and grow. But, when anxious feelings stick around, are excessive, or lead to avoiding places or people, it might be called an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder can cause children or young people to act differently because they experience anxious or scared feelings in response to perceived danger.

Childhood Anxiety guide for parents, carers and supporters

Children and young people can experience anxiety differently to us as adults. Their symptoms might change as they grow up and live through new things.

• Recognising anxiety: Recognising anxiety in children (rch.org.au)
• Anxiety in children and childhood fears | Raising Children Network
• Anxiety in teens: what it is & how to help | Raising Children Network
• Anxiety in families: webinar | Raising Children Network
• Emerging minds: website advancing the wellbeing of young people and families
• Raising Healthy Minds App - free pocket resource for raising confident, resilient children
  
  

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is characterised by excessive fear, apprehension, and other behavioural issues in response to an anticipated threat (real or imagined). This is a natural and common part of human development, often in response to new experiences or challenges.

However, anxiety disorders are distinguished by their intensity and duration, often prolonged, and can disrupt a person's daily life and overall wellbeing. People with anxiety disorders can experience repetitive thoughts or worries and may avoid certain situations due to their concerns.

Signs and symptoms – children and young people 

It’s not unusual for children or young people to show signs and symptoms of anxiety or worries occasionally. If infrequent, they may not be connected to an anxiety condition or disorder. However, if these symptoms occur frequently, follow a consistent pattern, or hinder a child or young person’s everyday life, they could indicate an anxiety condition or disorder.
Common signs and symptoms of anxiety:  

• regularly avoiding daily activities or situations like school, social events, playing, sport, eating or sleeping 
• frequent physical complaints, like stomach-aches or headaches 
• emotional outbursts, tantrums, or ‘meltdowns’ 
• difficulty sleeping 
• changes in eating habits 
• seeking reassurance often 
• overplanning situations or overthinking things 
• trouble concentrating or preoccupation.  

Many things in a child or young person's life can make them feel anxious, and there is not always one cause or trigger. Where they live, their surroundings, and how people around them are feeling can all affect a child's symptoms of anxiety. A child’s family or support system can also play a big role in how they feel.