For all individuals, including children and adolescents, some level of anxiety is normal and even beneficial at times. However, if symptoms of anxiety, such as excessive worries, panic, or shyness start to impair an individual’s functioning, then an anxiety disorder may be present. A common example is a child who is so nervous about going to school or interacting with peers that they begin to fear going to school and may refuse to go to school all together.

Some common symptoms include:

• Excessive worry
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Changes in appetite (eating too much or too little)
• Physical symptoms (such as headaches or stomachaches)

At Union Square Practice, our child and adolescent clinicians have extensive experience working with children and adolescents who may be struggling with anxiety. At USP, we understand that there is no one size fits all approach to treating anxiety. Thus, our clinicians take a holistic and collaborative approach to come up with a tailored treatment plan that works for your child and your family.