Email: jo@nlp4kids.org
Tel: 07481 554048
Child Anxiety Therapy Newcastle
As a child therapist based in Newcastle upon Tyne the single most common reason that parents get in touch with me is because their child is anxious, and that anxiety it is getting in the way, for the child and the whole family.
On this page you'll find information about how anxiety affects children, common signs to look out for, the reasons anxiety develops and practical steps that can help.
Anxiety can affect children in many different ways, including worries about school, friendships, separation from parents, sleep, health or everyday situations. Some children become quiet and withdrawn, while others become irritable, angry or overwhelmed.
If you are a parent in the North East of England then please get in touch about direct work with your child. I am based in Gosforth but have children come to me from across the North East including Teeside, County Durham, Sunderland, Northumberland and South Tyneside.
What is Anxiety in Children
Anxiety is a normal part of being human. It is the brain and body's way of trying to keep us safe from danger. In genuinely dangerous situations this response can be incredibly helpful. However, sometimes the brain becomes overprotective and starts to see danger where there isn't any real threat.
Children can become anxious about many different things including friendships, school, being away from parents, trying new activities, making mistakes For some children, anxiety is linked to a specific event or situation. For others, it can feel as though they are constantly on alert without always knowing why.
When a child is anxious, their nervous system prepares them to deal with a threat. This can lead to physical symptoms such as a racing heart, butterflies in the stomach, headaches, difficulty sleeping or feeling sick. It can also affect thoughts, emotions and behaviour.
Understanding anxiety is important because anxious behaviour is often misunderstood. A child who refuses to do something, becomes clingy, gets angry or withdraws is not be choosing to be difficult. Often their nervous system is simply telling them that something feels unsafe.
The good news is that anxiety can be understood, managed and reduced. With the right support, children can learn to recognise what is happening in their bodies, understand their worries and develop strategies that help them feel calmer and more confident.
What Are The Signs of Anxiety in Children?
Anxiety can look very different from one child to another. Some children become quiet and withdrawn, while others become frustrated, emotional or angry. Because anxiety affects the whole body, the signs are not always obvious.
Some common signs of anxiety in children include:
• Frequent worrying or asking for reassurance
• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• Tummy aches, headaches or feeling unwell without a clear medical cause
• Avoiding situations that feel difficult or uncomfortable
• Becoming upset when separated from parents or carers
• Struggling with changes to routine
• Becoming overwhelmed in busy or unfamiliar environments
• Irritability, emotional outbursts or anger
• Low confidence and fear of making mistakes
• Refusing activities they previously enjoyed
Sometimes parents are surprised to learn that anxiety can show up as anger, avoidance or oppositional behaviour. When children feel overwhelmed, their nervous system can move into a fight, flight or freeze response. This means that what looks like defiance may actually be a child struggling to cope with feelings that have become too big for them to manage.
If you recognise several of these signs, it does not necessarily mean your child has an anxiety disorder. However, it may suggest that anxiety is playing a significant role in their behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
Common Types of Anxiety in Children
Although every child experiences anxiety differently, there are some common patterns that parents often notice:
Generalised Anxiety
Some children worry about a wide range of things. They may constantly think ahead, imagine worst-case scenarios or struggle to switch off from their worries. These children often appear to carry a lot of responsibility for things that are outside their control.
Separation Anxiety
Children with separation anxiety may become very distressed when apart from a parent or caregiver. This can happen at school, when staying with relatives or even when a parent leaves the room. Separation anxiety is a normal part of development in younger children, but sometimes it continues for longer or becomes more intense.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety involves a fear of being judged, embarrassed or getting something wrong in front of other people. Children may avoid speaking in groups, worry about friendships or become extremely self-conscious in social situations.
Performance and Perfectionism
Some children place enormous pressure on themselves to get things right. They may become highly distressed by mistakes, avoid challenges or spend a lot of time worrying about how they are performing. This can affect school work, hobbies, sports and social situations.
Specific Fears and Phobias
Some anxieties focus on particular situations or objects such as dogs, needles, vomiting, thunderstorms or travelling. These fears can become so intense that children begin avoiding situations where they might encounter the thing they fear.
Many children experience more than one type of anxiety at the same time. Understanding the specific way anxiety shows up for your child is often the first step towards helping them feel calmer, more confident and more able to cope with life's challenges.