Anxiety In Children Often Goes Undiagnosed

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder of childhood and adolescence, yet it often goes undiagnosed. However, early intervention can improve a child’s quality of life and reduce the chances they will carry anxiety into adulthood. Jamie Fall, MA, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Findlay who specializes in working with children, including those with anxiety. She weighed in with expert advice on identifying anxiety along with helpful resources for parents.

What is anxiety?

Excessive, repetitive worries that happen more days than not are a common symptom of anxiety. Additional symptoms include trouble sleeping, frequent nightmares, stomach aches, headaches and even vomiting. Children may have trouble concentrating at school or stop enjoying favorite activities. “Behavioral problems often mask anxiety. Young children don’t know how to express how they feel, so they may have frequent tantrums or be overly clingy,” says Fall.

Resources for parents

If you think anxiety may be an issue for your child, there are resources Fall recommends. Your child’s school counselor is a great place to start. They may direct you to a licensed and experienced professional in the community who works with children. Fall encourages parents to educate themselves and recommends websites including childmind.org, worrywisekids.org and adaa.org. She also suggests contacting a local professional for an assessment. “My hope is that parents will look past any stigma with seeking help for their child. It’s a brave step to see a professional and say ‘What can I do?’ As a parent, what you do matters,” encourages Fall.

Jamie Fall, MA, LPCC sees children and adults
ages three years and up at
Promedica Physicians Behavioral Health in Findlay

To contact the office call 419-424-2011

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