Back in 2010, about 3-5% of children were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has jumped dramatically to an estimated 15-20%—with some estimates as high as 31%!

That’s a huge increase. In just 15 years, childhood anxiety has tripled, affecting more and more kids.

With numbers like these, it’s no surprise that parents are increasingly wondering, “Is my child struggling with anxiety?”

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is most commonly understood as excessive worry or fear. But what’s behind that worry? Where does it come from? And why is it so hard to manage?

As human beings, our brains are wired for survival. Our brain’s primary job is to keep us safe. When it detects something that could be a threat, it sends signals that trigger anxiety. If you were to stumble across a bear in the wild, those signals would be essential—they’d tell you to get out of there! Without them, you wouldn’t recognize the danger, and you’d stay put, risking your safety.

In that case, anxiety is helpful. But in today’s world, we don’t often come face-to-face with bears. Instead, our modern-day threats are academic pressure, social acceptance, and bad news as threats. 

But these “threats” are unavoidable. Unlike a bear, we can’t just run away from school, social situations, or the news. Our brain, however, treats them the same way—triggering anxiety just as if we were facing an actual predator. It’s like asking our ancestors to wrestle a bear every single day. No wonder kids today are feeling overwhelmed!

Signs of Childhood Anxiety

With the pressures kids face today, it makes sense that we’re seeing anxiety levels rise at such a dramatic rate. But how can you tell if your child is struggling with anxiety? Below are some of the most common symptoms:

  • Crying
  • Tantrums
  • Clinginess
  • Fear of trying new things
  • Headaches
  • Stomachaches
  • School refusal
  • Social isolation or withdrawal
  • Irritability
  • Anger
  • Aggression
  • Difficulty concentrating or distractibility
  • Impulsivity
  • Excessive worry
  • Excessive nervousness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Avoiding specific situations
  • Nausea
  • Fidgeting
  • Perfectionism
  • Persistent negative thoughts

When Should You Worry About Child Anxiety?

Many of these symptoms can be part of normal childhood challenges—or even just a bad day. So how do you know if your child’s anxiety is something to be concerned about?

If you checked off three or more symptoms and your child is experiencing them regularly over an extended period, it might be time to reach out for professional support.

How to Treat Childhood Anxiety Naturally

If you’re worried about your child’s anxiety, reaching out to a trusted professional is one of the best things you can do. There are two main reasons for this:

  1. They can provide specialized support, such as individual or group therapy.
  2. They can guide you in ways to support your child—without turning to medication unless absolutely necessary.

Therapy is considered the gold standard for childhood anxiety because it’s been shown to be one of the most effective treatments. If you’re looking for a therapist, here are some key things to consider:

  • They should have experience working with kids.
  • They need to connect with your child and gain your trust. If that connection isn’t there, therapy won’t be as effective.
  • They should involve you in the process. Not all child therapists include parents in treatment, but this can make a huge difference. Your child may only see their therapist for one hour a week, but they spend far more time with you. Having the right tools and strategies at home is just as important as therapy itself.

There are also several things you can do at home that have been shown to reduce anxiety in kids:

  • Establish consistent sleep routines
  • Encourage regular physical activity
  • Spend time outside daily
  • Limit screen time
  • Focus on a balanced diet
  • Model confidence and calm—this is one of the most powerful ways to help your child manage anxiety.

The Bottom Line

Anxiety itself isn’t the problem—it’s a natural response designed to keep us safe. But in today’s world, our brains are interpreting everyday stressors as constant threats, and kids don’t always have the tools they need to manage those feelings.

If your child is showing multiple symptoms of anxiety over time, it’s important to take notice. While medication is sometimes necessary, therapy and other natural interventions are often the best first step.

When choosing a therapist, be sure to find someone with specialized training in treating children and someone who includes parents in the process.

If you’re unsure where to start, we offer a free 20-minute consultation, where you can talk to a therapist and get answers to your questions. Reach out today—we’re here to help!