How to Identify and Support High-Functioning Anxiety in Children

Written by Tarishi Shrivastava

Published: December 21, 2024

Table of Contents

Introduction

What Is High-Functioning Anxiety In Kids’?

How To Identify High-Functioning Anxiety In Children?

Ways To Support Kids With High-Functioning Anxiety

Practice Mindfulness
Eat a Healthy Diet
Prioritize Sleep
Exercise Daily
Lean on Support Networks
Practice Positive Self-Talk

Conclusion

Introduction

Anxiety is a normal emotional response to stress that everyone experiences at different times in life. However, when fear or dread becomes overwhelming, making it hard to think clearly or causing overreactions, it might be more than occasional anxiety. If it leads to physical symptoms like sweating or a pounding heart, it’s especially concerning. As a parent, seeing anxiety symptoms in kids or teenagers can be very worrying.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern, affecting many people, including children and teenagers. Recognizing these signs early is crucial for getting the right help.

Children and teenagers can have worries similar to those of adults. Watching for signs of anxiety in your child is important because it can significantly impact daily life and well-being. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage and treat anxiety, helping kids lead a healthier, happier life. By understanding and addressing anxiety, parents can provide the support kids need to overcome these challenges.

What Is High-Functioning Anxiety In Kids’?

Anxiety is a natural response to stress. It helps us avoid danger and stay motivated. However, it becomes a problem when it causes too much distress, making it hard to get through the day. Children and teenagers might worry greatly about school, sports, and fitting in with friends.

Kids with high-functioning anxiety might seem calm and successful on the outside, but inside they feel constant fear, anxiety, and self-doubt. They are like ducks, appearing calm above the water while their legs paddle frantically below the surface.

The main difference between high-functioning anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder is how a person handles stress. With generalized anxiety, a person might feel the need to escape a stressful situation. On the other hand, kids with high-functioning anxiety are more likely to fight stress by pushing themselves to work harder. Recognizing and understanding these signs can help provide the right support and treatment.

How To Identify High-Functioning Anxiety In Children?

Among children and teenagers, high-functioning anxiety can show up in many ways. A formal diagnosis of anxiety requires a licensed mental health professional, but there are common signs to watch for.

Although there is no specific test for high-functioning anxiety, working with a healthcare professional can help identify it. Signs of high-functioning anxiety include:

Frequent stomach aches and headaches
Increased heart rate
Worrying excessively on most days
Restlessness, making one jittery or shaky
Frequently checking and double-checking things or asking for reassurance
Avoiding situations that cause anxiety
Changes in appetite, such as eating less or emotionally eating more
Feeling very tired after stressful situations
Irritation when things don’t go as planned
Muscle tension, like clenching fists or jaw
Sleep problems, like trouble falling asleep, waking up during the night, or not getting enough sleep
Always feeling on edge or jumpy
Talking very fast about many things at once
Being very self-critical with high standards

For children, anxiety can become linked with something that usually does not cause anxiety. For example, if a child has a panic attack at school, they might start to feel intense fear whenever they think about going to school. This can lead to a strong physical response each time they think about it.

Ways To Support Kids With High-Functioning Anxiety

1. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps kids with anxiety. Teens with high-functioning anxiety often rush through tasks instead of noticing thoughts and stress levels. Taking a moment to breathe deeply during stressful times can help them connect with their feelings.

2. Eat a Healthy Diet

Teens often struggle to eat well, which can affect anxiety levels. Diets high in sugar, refined carbs, and fat may worsen anxiety. Encourage your teen to eat nutritious foods to help manage high-functioning anxiety.

3. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is crucial for both physical and emotional well-being. Teens aged 13-18 should get 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Help your teen by establishing a regular sleep schedule, reducing screen time before bed, and avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and evening.

4. Exercise Daily

Physical activity can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. Yet many teens do not get enough exercise, which can affect their mental and physical health. Physical activities help to release stress, which is good because stress is the main cause of anxiety in kids. Encourage teens to move around between study sessions or before meals.

5. Lean on Support Networks

Teens often feel they must face challenges alone, which can cause anxiety. Developmental changes during adolescence can be scary. Encourage your teens to talk to peers, teachers, coaches, or other adults they trust about worries and questions.

6. Practice Positive Self-Talk

Anxious teens often criticize themselves harshly. Encourage your teens to notice negative thoughts and replace them with realistic, positive thoughts. For example, instead of catastrophizing about a test, they can say, "I'll do my best, and there's still time to improve."

Conclusion

Encouraging mindfulness, healthy eating, regular exercise, strong support networks, quality sleep, and positive self-talk can significantly help teens manage high-functioning anxiety. By creating these habits and providing support, parents can empower teens to navigate challenges and improve overall well-being.