What Are the Signs of Anxiety in Children? A Parent's Guide
Clinically directed by Dr George Efraem | Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist | HCPC · BPS · BACP · CyRBP
Narrated by Sia, Science-Informed Narrator
In this episode, we explore one of the most common concerns parents bring to our practice in Limassol: how do you know when your child's worry has crossed the line from normal to something that needs support? We walk you through the signs of childhood anxiety across emotional, physical and behavioural domains, explain what makes clinical anxiety different from typical developmental fears, and look at the most effective evidence-based approaches for helping your child feel safe, understood and confident again. Whether you are noticing something that concerns you or simply want to understand your child's emotional world a little better, this episode is for you.
Read the full article version of this episode: What Are the Signs of Anxiety in Children?
What This Episode Covers
This episode is your practical guide to understanding childhood anxiety, what it looks like, how it differs from normal worry, and what actually helps. Here is what we cover across 12 sections:
Whether your child's fears are developmentally typical or a sign of clinical anxiety, and how to tell the difference
The emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural signs of anxiety in children, including symptoms parents most commonly miss or misread
How anxiety presents differently in younger children versus teenagers
The two most common anxiety disorders in school-age children: separation anxiety disorder and social phobia
Why early intervention matters and what the research evidence shows about long-term outcomes
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy explained in plain language, including why it is considered the gold standard treatment for childhood anxiety
Practical, evidence-based strategies families can start using at home today
How to know when it is time to reach out for professional support
Whether you are concerned about your child right now or simply want to understand anxiety better, this episode gives you the knowledge and confidence to take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child's worries are a normal phase or something more serious?
Look at two things: duration and impairment. If worry has been present for more than four weeks and is affecting school, friendships or daily routines, it has moved beyond a typical phase and is worth taking seriously.
My child often complains of stomach aches and headaches before school. Could this be anxiety?
Quite possibly. Anxiety produces real physical symptoms even when no medical cause is found. If complaints appear consistently before school or stressful situations and a doctor has ruled out other causes, anxiety is very likely a contributing factor.
How do I tell the difference between avoidance and just being difficult?
Avoidance is not stubbornness. It is how an anxious child manages overwhelming fear. Refusing school, seeking constant reassurance or avoiding social situations are signals that your child feels unsafe, not that they are being deliberately difficult.
Does anxiety look the same in a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old?
No. Younger children tend to externalise through crying, tantrums and clinging. Teenagers are more likely to internalise, showing anxiety through withdrawal, irritability and intense worry about what peers think of them.
Will my child's anxiety improve on its own?
Some children do improve, but untreated clinical anxiety carries a real risk of developing into depression or other difficulties later in life. Early, evidence-based support produces significantly better outcomes than waiting.
Can I accidentally make my child's anxiety worse?
Yes, unintentionally. Consistently removing anxiety-provoking situations or providing excessive reassurance reinforces the idea that the feared situation is genuinely dangerous. Acknowledging the fear warmly while encouraging small, gradual steps forward is far more effective.
What is CBT and how does it help anxious children?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy teaches children to recognise and challenge unhelpful thoughts and face fears gradually in small, supported steps. It is the most evidence-based treatment for childhood anxiety and gives children tools they can use throughout their lives.
Your child's wellbeing matters. If this episode has raised questions about your child's anxiety, we are here to help. Dr George Efraem offers specialist child anxiety therapy in Limassol, with sessions available in person and online across Cyprus. Book a free 15-minute introductory call with no referral needed and no commitment required.
Or call us directly: +357 97840448
*Content is grounded in peer-reviewed research and evidence-based clinical guidelines. Sources available on request.
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