Children who suffer from anxiety often have a difficult time functioning at home and school because they are crippled by worry and fear. Anxiety disorders are common in children, with about 13 of every 100 kids ages 9 to 17 suffering from some sort of anxiety, according to the National Mental Health Information Center. Children can suffer from several types of anxiety, including separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias. Although some anxiety is normal as a child, excessive anxiety and worry could be a sign of a problem.
Worrying
Children with anxiety disorder often are worried about school, their family and friends and other aspects of their life, according to the University of Virginia Health System. They also often worry about things before they happen and are frequently worried or thinking about their safety or the safety of their parents and other family members.
School
Refusing to go to school or being reluctant or hesitant is a common problem in children with generalized anxiety disorder. For most kids, it is not a fear of going to school but instead issues with separation anxiety and social phobias, according to Merck.
Physical Ailments
Kids who have anxiety often will develop physical ailments such as stomachaches, headaches, muscle aches and muscle tension, according to the University of Virginia Health System. Some children may also feel as though they have a lump in their throats. In some cases, it may seem as though the child is inventing the ailment as an excuse not to go to school, but some kids do actually get physically ill because of anxiety.
Clinginess
Clinginess or an unwillingness to separate from their parents is common in children with anxiety. This is often most obvious in a child's refusal to go to school, but the separation anxiety can extend to other parts of the child's life as well. For example, kids with anxiety often do not want to spend the night away from home and may worry constantly when they are away from home.
Fatigue
Children with anxiety are often fatigued or tired because they have difficulty sleeping, according to the University of Virginia Health System. Sleep disturbances are also common.
Lack of Focus
Anxiety in children can also lead to difficulty focusing or concentrated. They may also seem irritable or have trouble relaxing. Some kids also are easily startled because of the anxiety.
