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By Emma Dall, Taproot Therapy Clinical Trainee
When many people think of anxiety, they picture someone who is constantly worrying or talking about their fears. While this can be true, anxiety in children often looks very different. Many children don't have the words to explain what they're feeling, so their anxiety shows up through their behaviors, emotions, or even physical symptoms. Because of this, anxiety can easily be mistaken for shyness, defiance, perfectionism, or simply "acting out." Understanding how anxiety presents in children can help parents recognize when their child may need additional support. 1. Irritability and Emotional Outbursts Children experiencing anxiety may become more irritable than usual. They might have frequent meltdowns, cry over small problems, or become easily frustrated when things don't go as planned. This isn't because they're trying to be difficult. Anxiety keeps a child's nervous system on high alert, making it harder to manage everyday stressors. What may seem like an overreaction is often a sign that they're feeling overwhelmed. 2. Physical Complaints Children often experience anxiety physically before they can recognize it emotionally. Common symptoms include:
You may notice these complaints before school, sports practices, birthday parties, or other situations that feel stressful. While it's always important to rule out medical concerns, recurring physical symptoms without a clear cause can sometimes be linked to anxiety. 3. Avoidance Avoidance is one of the most common signs of anxiety. A child may refuse to attend school, avoid social events, hesitate to try new activities, or cling to a caregiver during transitions. Although allowing children to avoid situations may bring temporary relief, it can unintentionally reinforce anxiety over time. Gradually building confidence through support and practice is often more helpful than avoiding the situation altogether. 4. Perfectionism Not all anxious children appear nervous. Some become perfectionists, placing a great deal of pressure on themselves to get everything "just right." They may become upset over small mistakes, spend excessive time completing assignments, or avoid trying something new unless they're certain they'll succeed. Beneath this perfectionism is often a fear of making mistakes, disappointing others, or not being "good enough." 5. Constant Reassurance Seeking Does your child frequently ask questions like:
While occasional reassurance is normal, repeated reassurance seeking can be a sign that your child is struggling to tolerate uncertainty. Although answering these questions may help in the moment, the relief is often temporary, leading them to seek reassurance again and again. 6. Difficulty Concentrating An anxious mind is often busy thinking about "what if" scenarios, making it difficult for children to stay focused. This can sometimes be mistaken for inattention or lack of motivation. Children with anxiety may appear distracted in class, struggle to complete assignments, or have trouble following directions. This is not because they aren't trying, but because their minds are occupied by worries. When Should Parents Seek Additional Support? It's important to remember that every child experiences worry from time to time. Feeling nervous before a big test, trying something new, or meeting new people is a normal part of growing up. However, if anxiety begins interfering with your child's daily life, such as their ability to attend school, make friends, participate in activities, sleep well, or enjoy things they once loved, it may be time to seek additional support. Anxiety doesn't always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes it appears as tears instead of fear, anger instead of worry, or stomachaches instead of anxious thoughts. The behaviors that seem confusing on the surface may actually be your child's way of communicating that they're struggling. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable. With early support, children can learn to understand their emotions, develop healthy coping skills, and build confidence in navigating challenges. Recognizing the signs is the first step toward helping your child feel understood, supported, and empowered to thrive. References
By Emma Shelton, Taproot Therapy Clinical Trainee
While Pride Month is famously a celebration of queer joy and community, it can also bring up complex emotions. Throughout the month of June, we as queer people may feel the constant urge to express our pride, joy, and general merriment for the identities and lives that we have built for ourselves. However, it can also be a reminder of past rejection, family or relational loss, and internalized fear and shame. Our emotional responses are shaped by our lived experiences, and while we may have plenty of moments of pride and joy, it's completely valid to remember the more complex aspects of our queer identity. The minority stress framework is the idea that marginalized populations (like LGBTQ+ individuals) can experience chronic stressors that impact their current emotional experiences. Chronic stressors can be:
Over time, these stressors can add up to chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional exhaustion, burnout, depressive symptoms, difficulty relaxing in safe moments, and grief. Even in affirming and allied spaces, these feelings can arise as grief, discomfort, comparison, and feeling “not queer enough”. While pride can be a space for connection and queer family, it's important to recognize that not everyone has access to a safe community, and not everyone may feel safe at a big pride event. People of color, transgender, gender nonconforming folks, and people with intersecting identities have historically been marginalized even within the LGBTQ+ community, and may not feel safe at predominantly cisgender and white events. Having mixed emotions about this time of year is completely normal. Whether you're experiencing grief over lost time or family distance, loneliness over lack of a community, or joy at being affirmed and celebrated, how you feel does not invalidate your identity or participation in pride. If you are feeling overwhelmed this month, try some of these exercises to ground yourself and celebrate pride in your own way.
Taproot Therapy is here for you this June, however you may be feeling. Happy Pride! References: The Trevor Project. (2021). Ways young folks can celebrate Pride Month. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/ways-young-folks-can-celebrate-pride/ Hatzenbuehler, M. L. (2009). How does sexual minority stigma “get under the skin”? A psychological mediation framework. Psychological Bulletin, 135(5), 707–730. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016441 Sanscartier, S., & MacDonald, G. (2019). Connectedness to the LGBTQ community and well-being among sexual minority individuals. Journal of Homosexuality, 66(14), 1983–2005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31580125/ By Kate (Katie) Pargament, Taproot Therapy Clinical Trainee
Summer is here, which means many people are packing their bags and heading off on vacations, weekend getaways, and visits with family and friends. For some people, travel is exciting. For others, it can bring up a lot of anxiety. If you've ever found yourself worrying about being far from your comfort zone, feeling trapped on a plane, or wondering, "What if I panic and can't get out of this situation?" you're not alone. Travel anxiety can affect people in many different ways. Some individuals experience racing thoughts before a trip, while others notice physical symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, or feelings of panic. For those who struggle with anxiety, agoraphobia, or claustrophobia, travel can feel particularly overwhelming. The good news is that anxiety does not have to prevent you from doing the things that matter to you. While the goal is not to eliminate anxiety completely, it is possible to develop tools that help you manage it and continue moving toward experiences that are important to you. 1. Engage Your Senses When anxiety starts to build, bringing attention back to your senses can help ground you in the present moment. Many people find it helpful to keep a strong sensory item nearby while traveling. Sour candy, peppermint gum, mints, or a cold carbonated beverage can create an intense sensory experience that redirects attention away from anxious thoughts and back to the present. While these tools will not eliminate anxiety, they can help interrupt the spiral of fear and provide a helpful grounding point. Ask yourself:
Grounding through the senses can help remind your brain that you are safe in the present moment. 2. Create a Comfortable Environment Travel often involves unfamiliar sounds, crowds, and sensory stimulation. Noise from airports, train stations, and airplanes can increase feelings of stress and overwhelm. Noise-canceling headphones can be a helpful way to reduce sensory input and create a greater sense of control. Listening to calming music, a favorite podcast, a guided meditation, or an audiobook can also help make travel feel more manageable. Creating small moments of comfort can go a long way when navigating an anxiety-provoking situation. 3. Prepare Familiar Comforts Anxiety often pulls us toward what feels safe and familiar. Before a trip, consider downloading favorite movies, television shows, playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks. Watching a comfort show or listening to familiar voices can provide a sense of predictability during an unfamiliar experience. These activities can also serve as healthy distractions when anxious thoughts become particularly loud. Sometimes comfort is not about avoiding anxiety. It is about giving yourself supportive tools while you work through it. 4. Look at Photos That Ground You One simple but powerful strategy is to keep photos of loved ones easily accessible on your phone. Pictures of your dog, family members, friends, favorite memories, or meaningful moments can help reconnect you to feelings of safety, connection, and joy. When anxiety convinces us that we are alone or far from home, these reminders can help us feel emotionally connected to the people and experiences that matter most. Looking through familiar photos can also serve as a grounding exercise by bringing your attention to positive memories and reminding you that home, relationships, and support systems still exist even when you are physically away. 5. Move Your Body Before Traveling Physical activity can be a helpful way to reduce stress before a trip. Whether it is a workout class, a walk around your neighborhood, stretching, yoga, or a quick jog, movement can help release tension and support emotional regulation. Exercise may also help reduce some of the physical sensations that often accompany anxiety. You do not need an intense workout. Even a short walk before heading to the airport can make a difference. 6. Slow Down Your Breathing When anxiety rises, our breathing often becomes shallow and rapid. Intentionally slowing your breathing can help calm your nervous system. Try this simple exercise:
Rather than fighting anxiety, focus on creating a slower rhythm in your body. Even a few minutes of intentional breathing can help reduce the intensity of anxious symptoms. Keep Going, Even When Anxiety Shows Up One of the most challenging parts of anxiety is that it often encourages avoidance. In the short term, avoiding situations can bring relief. In the long term, however, avoidance often strengthens anxiety and makes it more difficult to engage in the activities we value. Travel anxiety can be exhausting, frustrating, and isolating. At the same time, it is possible to feel anxious and still move forward. The goal is not to travel without anxiety. The goal is to build confidence in your ability to handle anxiety when it appears. Each trip, each train ride, each flight, and each step outside of your comfort zone is an opportunity to remind yourself that anxiety does not get to make all of your decisions. This summer, as the travel season ramps up, remember that you do not have to wait until you feel completely calm to participate in the experiences that matter to you. With preparation, self-compassion, and the right coping tools, you can learn to carry anxiety differently and continue creating meaningful memories along the way. |
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