Anxiety Assessments
Anxiety is a normal aspect of human nature, and we will all experience anxiety. Anxiety is generally a fear, a response to danger or something we perceive as a threat. Anxiety in children can be something generally short term and children can develop their capability and capacity to enable them to think, rationalise and work through potential anxiety and stressors.
Parents/carers and other significant people can help assist a child in exploring things they can be anxious about so they can make sense of and overcome their anxieties.
In this process we are enabling children to become more aware of themselves, build resilience, self-esteem, confidence and empowering them to trust their minds and bodies to responses and resolve the conflicts they experience. As children mature, this process becomes more robust, and they can work through and understand their responses to potential situations.
When anxiety become something that gets sustained and is not seen as short term, a reaction to a situation or an event, it can become very distressing and overwhelming for a child. This is where anxiety may turn into a diagnosable, treatable condition/disorder.
Anxiety In Children
Around 1 in 5 children experience anxiety disorders which begins in childhood. These may be visible from a young age and may slowly impact a child’s way of functioning. Anxiety affects people in different ways and with different impact.
There could be subtle ways this emerges, or it can be an extreme response to a situation. Children may display psychological and physical responses to anxiety, anxiety can restrict their lives and they may avoid certain places or situations. They may experience high levels of stress and feel overwhelmed sometimes.
There may be physical responses to anxiety, stomach pains, headaches, shortness of breath, sleep challenges which is not an exhaustive list.
Some children may internalise their fears, stressors, sense of danger and threat and may not be able to know, articulate and inform others so they can understand what a child could be experiencing. When anxiety becomes severe and becomes a part of everyday life it can be very intense, overwhelming and can impact on a child’s ability to cope and function.
They may experience intrusive thoughts, negative/critical thoughts and be very conflicted in themselves. They may withdraw, spend time on their own, and stop doing some of the things they enjoyed. Sleep and eating can sometimes be impacted.
They may not socialise and be unable to complete tasks for school and could be overcompensating or not being able to undertake the work they once could. Children may be able to manage some settings like education but when they return home, they could be incredibly exhausted and anxious. The way the child may present may be different in different settings. Anxiety can be crippling and very debilitating, and if treated and understood in childhood this may not develop into maladaptive coping strategies.
Types of Anxiety
There are different types of anxiety in childhood; separation anxiety disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety, generalised anxiety and panic related anxiety. Children can experience health anxiety which is related to illnesses, becoming unwell and others being unwell. Children who have experienced trauma can experience anxiety.
Anxiety is something that is widely experienced, noticed and spoken about. Anxiety may impact many people but where it becomes part of everyday life, frequent episodes, and when it impacts the ability to function, it would be helpful to seek additional support for your child. Anxiety is more common in females, but males do experience anxiety also. There are many adolescents that experience anxiety and the onset can occur in the early years.
Understanding a child’s personality and ways of coping is important. Some children could be naturally sensitive, making them more susceptible to anxiety. There are genetic factors to explore, and changes and transitions can be impactful.
Identifying triggers, increased workload, house moves, challenges with friendships can impact and enhance anxiety symptoms. Sudden changes like bereavements can increase anxiety responses and other family challenges. Anxiety could be a single challenge to a specific situation/event, or it could be a combination of difficulties/challenges.
How We Help
Anxiety can intensify and become very consuming for a child. They may not know what is making them feel anxious. There could be hidden meanings to anxiety and a child may show themselves and other people their symptoms rather than being able to process, understand and apply action to combat anxiety. In some children, anxiety can manifest and lead to depressive symptoms, substance misuse and a gradual/sudden withdrawal from things they enjoy.
At the children in mind service, we can treat, diagnose, and provide psychological interventions and medical interventions to help support, assist and enable a child to overcome and manage their anxiety. We provide help and support to parents/carers and networks supporting children and adolescences. We work within the NICE guidelines and the assessment diagnosis is provided in line with the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder, 5th edition (DSM-5). We regularly review all care and treatment and will write thorough clinical reports. The service can manage and support the whole pathway of services and the clinicians working in the service are experts and highly experienced and knowledgeable in treating children and adolescents with mild to serve mental health difficulties.
At the children in mind service, we operate a highly sensitive approach and tailor services to meet the individuals needs. We are highly focused and committed to helping and supporting children and families and are always patient focused. We deliver services with transparency and welcome queries at any point of your assessment and treatment journey in the service. We do not use judgement, we promote recovery and our aim/goal is for people to lead enhanced, fulfilled lives that enable them to achieve their aspirations and ambitions.
FAQS
How do I know if my child needs a neurodiversity assessment?
You may consider an assessment if your child shows persistent challenges with attention, communication, social interaction, learning, or emotional regulation. Early understanding helps access the right support and strategies at home and school.
What happens during the neurodiversity assessment process?
Our assessments follow NICE guidelines and are carried out by a multi-disciplinary team. The process usually involves parent consultations, child observations, standardised assessments (like ADOS-2 for autism), and teacher input. This ensures a holistic understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges.
Will the assessment identify autism, ADHD, and other conditions?
Yes. Our clinicians are trained to assess for multiple neurodevelopmental conditions. This helps identify whether your child’s difficulties are linked to one or several conditions, ensuring a full and accurate understanding.
Do you offer therapy online as well as in person?
Yes, we provide both in-person sessions at our Bristol location and secure online therapy for convenience.