Anxiety and depression are treatable, but 80 percent of kids with a diagnosable anxiety disorder and 60 percent of kids with diagnosable depression are not getting treatment, according to the 2015 Child Mind Institute Children’s Mental Health Report.
Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, and every child goes through phases. A phase is temporary and usually harmless. But children who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience fear, nervousness, and shyness, and they start to avoid places and activities.
- See statistics for anxiety disorders among children from the National Institute of Mental Health.
A child who sees a scary movie and then has trouble falling asleep or has a similar temporary fear can be reassured and comforted. But that is not enough to help a child with an anxiety disorder get past his or her fear and anxiety.
Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Research shows that untreated children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse.
Anxiety disorders often co-occur with depression as well as eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and others.
With treatment and support, your child can learn how to successfully manage the symptoms of an anxiety disorder and depression and live a normal childhood.
The following sections will help you get started:
- Childhood anxiety disorders
- Anxiety and depression
- Treatment
- Tips for parents and caregivers
- Anxiety disorders at school
- School refusal
- Resources Free brochures from the National Institute of Mental Health (in English and Spanish)
- Good Mental Health Away From Home Starts Before College
- Mood Disorders and Teenage Girls Why girls are more vulnerable than boys for anxiety and depression, what signs and symptoms you should look for, and why early intervention is critical.
- Treatment of Children with Mental Illness
- The Teen Brain: Still Under Construction This brochure describes changes in the brain that occur during the teen years and the significance of this stage of development.
Additional Resources
KidsHealth
Non-Military PTSD
Child Mind Institute
Families for Depression Awareness
Families USA
Georgetown Center for Children and Families
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Selective Mutism Group
Selective Mutism Foundation
WorryWiseKids.org
Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program — for military families in New England
Talking to Children About Terrorism and War
Helping Children Cope During Deployment
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Children and Grief
Active Minds
National Eating Disorders Association
Spread The Word
Please tweet, post on Facebook, or add the links to your own website — whatever works to get the word out that you are not alone and help is here!
@Got_Anxiety
#Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. Help is here. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/treatment
Learn the #depression #symptoms in kids. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/anxiety-and-depression
Learn how to choose a #child #therapist. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/treatment/choosing-therapist-your-child
Tips for parents and caregivers to help children manage anxiety disorders. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/tips-parents-and-caregivers
#Depression in #children and #teens is a risk factor for #suicide. Learn about treatment. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/treatment
Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, but children who suffer from an anxiety disorder show fear, nervousness, and shyness and start to avoid places and activities. Help is here. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/treatment
Separation anxiety, phobias, OCD, social anxiety, and more. Learn the symptoms and how to help children with anxiety disorders. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/childhood-anxiety-disorders
Get tips for parents and caregivers to help children manage anxiety disorders. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/tips-parents-and-caregivers
Childhood depression is a risk factor for suicide. Learn about treatment. http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/treatment
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