8 Signs of Anxiety in Children That Show Up as Something Else
In this wonderful article put out by GoZen, we can see that Anxiety can be so multifaceted for our kids. The visual analogy of an iceberg is so poignant to help us realize there is such much more going on under the surface. Sometimes people see anxiety a certain way, perhaps as exhibited through tears or shyness, or seeking a lot of reassurance. However, the more we learn about anxiety the more we are learning that this can show up in many unexpected ways. Anxiety can look so different from child to child. Many anxious kids seek out to take control and this may manifest through avoidance or defiance. While other anxious kids may try to over-plan their little world to gain more control. Anxiety can also manifest as inattentiveness, when they're consumed with anxious thoughts it's hard for them to focus on what is in front of them. There may also be difficulty sleeping, anger and negativity.'Anxiety occurs when there is an overestimation of a perceived threat (e.g., a test or a party) and an underestimation of coping skills (e.g.,”I can’t handle this.”). '
When kids underestimate their abilities to cope with a certain situation they may feel helpless which can lead to frustration/anger. This may also be connected to what Brene Brown calls 'chandeliering', or when a seemingly calm child 'flies off the handle'. An anxious child can look nice and calm to the outside observer but their wheels are churning on the inside. I like to picture a duck on a pond, they look nice and calm from the top of the pond but underneath their feet are swimming rapidly. I found this article so helpful and I hope you will too. Please utilize the GoZen website as a great resource if you find yourself with an anxious child. https://gozen.com/
