Anxiety facts for kids

A job applicant might feel worried before an interview.

Anxiety is a strong, uncomfortable feeling. It often includes feeling fearful or very worried. When you feel anxious, your body might also react. You could get a headache or an upset stomach.

Sometimes, people feel a lot of anxiety for a long time. This can make their daily lives hard. These strong feelings are called anxiety disorders. The good news is that these conditions can be helped. People can get better with therapy or medicine.

What is General Anxiety Disorder?

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is when someone feels worried or scared almost all the time. These worries are often about things that wouldn't usually bother others. If this constant worrying starts to get in the way of school, friends, or family life, it might be GAD. It can stop someone from doing normal daily activities.

How Does Anxiety Feel?

Anxiety can show up in many ways. You might feel tired all the time. It can be hard to relax. Some people lose confidence or feel unsure about themselves. They might be scared of public places or meeting new people.

Other common feelings include:

• Feeling worried or scared often, even without a clear reason.
• Doing things over and over, like checking if a door is locked.
• Worrying a lot about making mistakes.
• Having bad dreams or trouble sleeping.
• Crying a lot.

Your body can also show signs of anxiety. You might get headaches or stomach problems. Some people have diarrhea or feel sick to their stomach. Aching muscles are also possible.

What Happens During an Anxiety Attack?

Anxiety attacks, sometimes called panic attacks, can feel very intense. During an attack, you might:

• Start sweating a lot.
• Shake or tremble.
• Feel your heart beat very fast.
• Have trouble breathing or feel like you can't get enough air.
• Feel a tingling in your hands and feet.
• Have a strong feeling that something bad is about to happen.
• Feel like you are having a heart attack.

These feelings can be scary. But remember, they are usually signs of anxiety.

Getting Help for Anxiety

If you often feel anxious, it's a good idea to talk to an adult you trust. This could be a parent, teacher, or school counselor. They can help you talk to a doctor or another health expert. A doctor can figure out exactly what is going on. They can also suggest the best way to help you feel better.

Treatments for Anxiety

Doctors often suggest different ways to treat anxiety. One common way is with medicine. These medicines can help calm down the strong feelings of anxiety.

Many other ways to help with anxiety are also popular. These are often called non-drug therapies. They can include:

• Self-hypnosis: Learning to relax your mind.
• Meditation: Focusing your mind to feel calm.
• Yoga: Using gentle movements and breathing to relax.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A type of talk therapy that helps you change how you think and act.
• Counseling: Talking to a trained professional about your feelings.
• Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese medicine technique that uses thin needles.

These therapies teach you ways to "manage" or "cope" with your anxiety. They help you deal with the feelings and attacks when they happen. It's also important to understand what might be causing your anxiety. Learning to face your fears can help stop future anxiety attacks. This can make you feel much better in the long run.

Images for kids

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  Painting entitled Anxiety, 1894, by Edvard Munch

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  A marble bust of the Roman Emperor Decius from the Capitoline Museum. This portrait "conveys an impression of anxiety and weariness, as of a man shouldering heavy [state] responsibilities".

See also

In Spanish: Ansiedad para niños