Anxiety In Children & Young People

Your Friendly Child Psychiatrist: Dr Taghrid

Have you ever seen a child, frozen by fear, unable to speak or even move?

In this episode, we explore the intricate world of child and youth anxiety. Together, we'll pull back the curtains on anxiety's many masks, from generalised worry to selective mutism, phobias and panic disorders. We’ll dive into the unique ways children and young people perceive and express their anxiety - sometimes, not with words, but with behaviours like school refusal or physical ailments.

We'll consider the delicate balance of normal and maladaptive anxiety, how children's experiences can shift this balance and the impact of their developmental age and environment on their anxiety.

Support organisations in the UK:

Samaritans - mental health support and suicide prevention, call 116 123 any time for free or text SHOUT to 85258.

Paprus - mental health support and suicide prevention Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.

Childline - support for children and young people and suicide prevention call 0800 1111.

NSPCC - support to prevent or stop child abuse call 0808 800 5000.

Young Minds - support for young people and parents/carers.

Mind - mental health resources and support.

Kooth - online support and counselling.

MindEd - online educational resources on children, young people, adults and older adults' mental health. There are dedicated sections for parents and carers who are concerned regarding their child’s mental health. MindEd offers tips on parenting, advice and information from trusted experts and parents working together. MindEd is also an e-Learning resource for professionals across health, social care, education and youth justice settings.