Anxiety in Kids and Teens 101
Available with English captions and subtitles in Spanish.
Experiencing anxiety is a natural part of growing up, and there’s no question that kids and teens face many very real reasons to feel anxious. Typically, they learn to navigate those feelings. But when anxiety persists and becomes seemingly unmanageable, it can impact schoolwork, relationships, and even development.
So what should parents, teachers, and other adults know about recognizing unhealthy anxiety in children and adolescents? How can they best support a young person who is struggling? And when is professional help advised?
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Audience Questions
Lisa W. Coyne, PhD, provides an overview of childhood anxiety, explains what sets it apart from anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions, and offers practical strategies for helping kids and teens feel less anxious.
- What is anxiety and how does it differ from fear and stress?
- What does anxiety typically look like in kids and teens?
- At what point does typical childhood anxiety become problematic? How do you know?
- What do we know about the causes of anxiety? Is there a genetic component?
- What are some common sources of anxiety for kids and teens?
- What is the distinction between obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and an anxiety disorder?
- How common are anxiety disorders?
- How are different disorders teased apart diagnostically? Who makes these diagnoses?
- Is there a positive trend line in awareness and ability to diagnose anxiety disorders for kids and teens?
- What are some anxiety red flags that caregivers and adults can watch for in children?
- What does self-awareness of anxiety look like in children? How might they articulate the anxiety they’re experiencing?
- What is the gold standard anxiety treatment for kids and teens?
- What are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP)? How are they different? How do they fit together?
- Are CBT and ERP used in the treatment of both anxiety disorders and OCD?
- How can caregivers find therapists trained to treat children with anxiety disorders?
- What are the different levels of care when it comes to treatment for anxiety in kids and teens?
- What should we know about medication as a part of treatment for anxiety?
- How should education systems play a role in helping students with anxiety?
- Where can people turn for additional resources?
- What can successful treatment look like?
The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.
Resources
You may also find this information useful.
Interesting Articles, Videos, and More
- Deconstructing Stigma lived experience storytelling
- International OCD Foundation
- Understanding and Treating Anxiety in Kids and Teens: A Guide for Adults
- Anxiety and OCD in Kids and Teens Course 2025
- Video: Helping Kids Thrive Mentally and Emotionally – A Guide for Parents
- Video: Anxiety in Kids and Teens – What To Watch For
- Video: Anxiety in the Classroom – Educators and Health Care Professionals Must Work Together
- Video: How To Help Parents Navigate Their Child’s Anxiety
- Video: Real Talk About OCD – Kyle’s Journey
- Mental health support resources for kids and teens
Books
- Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD – book by Eli Lebowitz
- Parenting Anxious Kids – book by Regine Galanti
- What To Do When Your Child Has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – book by Aureen Pinto Wagner
- Stuff That’s Loud: A Teen’s Guide to Unspiraling When OCD Gets Noisy – book by Ben Sedley and Lisa Coyne
About Dr. Coyne
Lisa W. Coyne, PhD, is a senior clinical consultant at McLean Hospital and an assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, part-time, at Harvard Medical School. She is a licensed clinical psychologist, an internationally recognized acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) trainer, and the author of numerous books for parents, children, and teens.
