20 Anxiety Signs Parents Often Miss
Unspoken signs of anxiety in children that parents often overlook.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
The new generation of children often struggles to find the rights words and may feel too shy to express their feelings. As a result, the parents are left unaware of what their children are experiencing on a day-to-day basis. That’s why this article shares the 20 anxiety signs parents should look out for to fully be aware of their children’s mental well-being.
1. Mood Swings
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When children go from being hyper to usually quiet, it may be a hidden sign of anxiety. These mood swings often happen unexpectedly, especially during and after fear, sadness, and nervousness.
2. Avoiding Eye Contact
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Children feel anxious in social settings, sensing that they are under the judgmental gaze of the people around them. Their fear of being judged explains why they avoid eye contact, as it may be too uncomfortable.
3. Overly Apologetic
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Suffering from anxiety can make someone apologize a lot, even when they’re not at fault. This stems from a persistent worry that they might have upset someone or have done something wrong.
4. Less Communicative
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Kids suffering from anxiety often struggle to speak their minds due to the intense worry of getting judged. This is why they, most of the time, hold back their thoughts even at times when they need to express themselves.
5. Critical to Oneself
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Being self-critical is linked with underlying mental illnesses like anxiety. Children suffering from this find it difficult to put away negative thoughts about themselves, thus seeking to feel the need to prove themselves to others constantly.
6. Highly Skeptical
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As a result of a lack of confidence in oneself, kids suffering from anxiety are highly skeptical of how others perceive them. They become overly cautious in their social interactions, leading them to avoid such situations.
7. Always Zoning Out
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If a child tends to zone out a lot during social situations, it may be a sign that their social energy has run out. Kids suffering from anxiety “check out” mentally, most especially when they’re overwhelmed by negative thoughts.
8. Trouble Focusing on Tasks
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Due to always constant negative thoughts running through their minds, children often have trouble focusing on tasks. This is why they find it challenging to stay engaged, even with activities they typically enjoy.
9. Fear of Making Mistakes
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Atelophobia, also known as the fear of making mistakes, is a type of anxiety disorder that drives children to avoid certain situations and fixate on perfectionism.
10. Overthinking Things
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Worrying a lot about small things and constantly second-guessing themselves is a sign of anxiety in children. Hence, it is difficult for them to make sound decisions and enjoy the present moment.
11. Cold and Distant to Peers
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Anxiety can make kids less friendly with their peers, as they are constantly questioning themselves. They may need to withdraw from social situations, which they see as an escape from reality that they refuse to face.
12. Increased Frustration
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Anxiety can turn to anger if not appropriately addressed. The constant fear and insecurity children feel due to stress can result in emotional outbursts and increased frustration.
13. Trouble Falling Asleeo
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Constantly having anxious thoughts can cause a child trouble falling asleep deeply. Due to excess fear and worry, they’re unable to stay asleep through the night.
14. Changes in Behavior
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Children who don’t get the desired reassurance from their parents or loved ones may display changes in their behavior due to irritability, frustration, and worry.
15. Frequest Stomachaches and Headaches
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Physical symptoms of anxiety include stomachaches and headaches, which are common signs that a child is severely experiencing fear. These discomforts may appear before stressful situations such as school events and family gatherings.
16. Shortness of Breath
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Shortness of breath is a sign of anxiety in children. When faced with fear and stress, they may feel suffocated, as if they’re not getting enough air.
17. Loss of Appetite or Overeating
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Children with anxiety may restrict their eating or become very particular about what and when they will eat. They can be unpredictable—sometimes they refuse to eat at all while other times they engage in stress eating.
18. Frequent Shaking
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In some cases, children suffering from anxiety find themselves shaking during difficult times. This natural physical response is a result of intense emotions like fear, anger, and nervousness.
19. Fast Heartbeat
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Heart palpitations, like pounding or flattering, are a sign of anxiety in children that is often overlooked. When a child feels uneasy or frightened, this physical response happens when in challenging situations.
20. Dry Mouth
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Feeling anxious or stressed can reduce the flow of saliva in your kid’s mouth, leading to a dry mouth. As the body reacts to stress, it may then trigger changes in the mouth and other body parts.