Anxiety in Children — Recognising the Signs and Finding Real Help

Anxiety disorder is the most common mental health problem in children, affecting an estimated 1 in 8. It is also among the most undertreated — partly because children lack the language to describe their experience, partly because anxious behaviour is often attributed to temperament or development, and partly because many adults minimise childhood anxiety as something children will 'grow out of.' Early identification and effective treatment changes the long-term trajectory dramatically.

Signs of Anxiety Disorder in Children

• Refusing to go to school — one of the strongest indicators of underlying anxiety disorder
• Clinging to parents — difficulty separating even for short periods
• Frequent stomach aches and headaches with no medical cause
• Nightmares and sleep difficulty
• Excessive worry about things going wrong
• Asking repeatedly for reassurance ('will everything be okay?')
• Avoidance of new situations, unfamiliar people, or social events
• Perfectionism and distress over mistakes
• Angry or explosive behaviour — particularly in younger children who cannot articulate fear

Why Children With Anxiety Are Often Missed

Children do not typically say 'I feel anxious.' They say their tummy hurts, they say they don't want to go, they have a meltdown, they hide. Anxious children are often described by teachers as shy, withdrawn, clingy, or difficult — without the underlying anxiety disorder being identified. Many go through primary school and into secondary school with an untreated anxiety disorder that progressively restricts their development.

Helping Children Recover

The Linden Method includes a children's program developed specifically for young anxious sufferers. The program works alongside parental guidance — helping parents understand what supports recovery and what inadvertently maintains it. Many children recover completely within weeks, returning to school, social activities, and normal developmental milestones.