Childhood anxiety: a guide for parents, carers and supporters

Supporting a child or young person with anxiety can be difficult and overwhelming.

We have created an easy-to-use guide that gives parents, carers, and supporters of children with anxiety the knowledge and resources they need to actively participate in their child’s care.

This guide was co-designed with parents, siblings, and carers who have supported a loved one with anxiety, as well as those who have experienced it themselves.

View the anxiety guide for parents, carers and supporters.

The guide outlines the current gold standard management for childhood anxiety and was informed by the Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for Anxiety in Children and Young People, which has now been endorsed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

For more resources for clinicians see our anxiety clinical resources webpage.

Who made this guide?

The family guide was co-designed with 15 Lived Experience Advisors (LEAS). These LEAs are parents, siblings, carers, and people with first-hand experience of anxiety.

More resources for families:

• 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.