How common is childhood anxiety? (2-min read)

Anxiety is a future-oriented, and physiologically reactive emotion brought on by thoughts of uncontrollable, or unpredictable events perceived as aversive.  The hallmark of anxious behaviour is often observable actions taken to avoid feeling anxious, but in children the symptoms can be particularly difficult to recognise.  It is important for parents to understand that if there is impairment or distress, a disorder may be present, and helping children to identify anxiety, understand what it is, when it happens and what to do when it does is vital. Parents should also be aware of cognitive deficits such as poor concentration or worry; behavioural concerns such as restlessness or withdrawal from once enjoyable situations; and physiological symptoms such as sleeplessness or persistent nausea.  Spending time with children and talking to them about their anxiety, and showing support by teaching them breathing and muscle relaxation exercises can be helpful.

In recent years, claims made by popular media have suggested an increase in the prevalence of anxiety in children.  But is there an epidemic? A google search will reveal over 700,000 entries for ‘anxiety epidemic’, however academic databases return a much lower number of matches.  Further, if we review studies using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory from 1970 – 2000, a stable prevalence of adult anxiety is evident. Thus if parental anxiety is a risk factor for children, can we assume the rates are also stable for them?  Awareness of anxiety is on the rise which may have led to an over-representation of anxiety in general, and parents might over-use the term ‘anxiety’ to explain normal levels of worry in their children, while in fact clinical levels of anxiety remain stable.