6 Signs of Anxiety in Children Parents Should Look Out For
Anxiety among children is on the rise - and as parents, it’s not always easy to know when typical childhood worries cross over into something more serious.
In Australia, one in five children have high levels of anxiety. In America, more than 2.7 million children and adolescents are living with severe major depression. And in the UK, 20.3% of 8-16-year-olds had a probable mental disorder in 2023.
Anxiety rates continue to climb after the pandemic, it's never been more important for parents to understand the early signs of anxiety.
At Gheorg, we believe that the earlier we can recognize anxiety in kids, the earlier we can help them build confidence, resilience, and healthy emotional habits for life.
The good news?
As a parent, you’re in a powerful position.
You know your child better than anyone, and you see the full picture - at home, at school drop-offs, at bedtime, and beyond.
Here are six common signs of anxiety in children that parents should look out for.
1. Changes in Sleep Patterns
If your child is struggling to fall asleep, waking up often during the night, or having frequent nightmares, it could be a sign that their mind is racing with worries they’re not ready to share out loud.
Sleep issues are one of the most common early symptoms of anxiety - and since bedtime is when the distractions of the day fade away, anxious thoughts can feel even louder.
Tip: Look for patterns like dreading bedtime, asking for a parent to stay longer, or needing more reassurance before sleeping.
Gheorg can help: Kids can use Gheorg’s calming breathing exercises in the lead up to preparing for bed to help manage nighttime stress and ease into a more restful sleep.
2. Avoidance of Social Activities
Has your child started avoiding birthday parties, school events, sports, or even playdates they once loved?
While it’s normal for interests to shift as kids grow, if they’re consistently withdrawing from activities, it could be anxiety talking - particularly social anxiety or fear of being judged.
Tip: Pay attention to vague excuses like “I don’t feel good,” or “I just don’t want to go,” especially if they happen repeatedly.
Gheorg can help: Through daily emotional check-ins and stories about handling different feelings, kids can build emotional resilience and feel more empowered to face social situations.
3. Frequent Physical Complaints
Headaches before school. Tummy aches before a playdate. Nausea before a sports game.
Anxiety doesn't just live in the mind - it can also show up in very real physical symptoms.
If your child is frequently feeling unwell with no obvious medical cause, it's worth considering whether stress or anxiety might be the root.
Tip: Notice if physical complaints happen predictably around certain events or situations, like school mornings or outings.
Gheorg can help: Kids can use self-calming tools in the app, like breathing techniques, to manage those physical feelings when they arise.
4. Excessive Reassurance Seeking
It’s normal for kids to want a little encouragement - but if you're constantly hearing “Are you sure I’ll be okay?” or “What if I can’t do it?” questions, it could signal underlying anxiety.
Anxious kids often look to trusted adults to help them soothe their inner fears. The challenge is that while reassurance works in the moment, it doesn’t always help children build lasting coping skills.
Tip: Repetitive, anxious “what if” questions are a clue that your child may be feeling unsafe or overwhelmed inside.
Gheorg can help: Gheorg’s daily check-ins teach kids how to recognise, name, and regulate their emotions - helping them build inner confidence rather than relying solely on outside reassurance.
5. Irritability and Emotional Outbursts
Anxiety doesn’t always show up as worry or sadness.
Sometimes it looks like anger, frustration, or meltdowns over small things.
If your child seems more irritable, quicker to cry, or prone to big emotional reactions out of proportion to the situation, anxiety could be underneath those feelings.
Tip: Instead of asking "What's wrong with you?" in the heat of the moment, try gently reconnecting later with questions like, "Was something feeling too big or too hard?"
Gheorg can help: Kids can use Gheorg’s stories of coping strategies to manage overwhelming feelings and learn healthy ways to calm down.
6. Perfectionism and Fear of Making Mistakes
Anxious kids often set impossibly high standards for themselves - and the fear of messing up can be paralysing.
You might notice your child avoiding homework because they’re scared they’ll “do it wrong,” quitting activities they once enjoyed, or melting down over minor mistakes.
Tip: Encourage a growth mindset at home: mistakes are part of learning, not proof of failure.
Gheorg can help: The app helps children identify their strengths and build confidence through positive reinforcement - shifting the focus from "being perfect" to "giving things a go."
Gheorg is here to support Parents and Kids
Spotting the early signs of anxiety in children is just the first step.
Supporting them through it - helping them build emotional strength and self-awareness - is where real change happens.
Gheorg is here to make that easier.
Through friendly characters, daily check-ins, and resilience-building exercises, the Gheorg app empowers kids to open up, practice emotional regulation, and develop the skills they need to navigate anxiety over time.
Plus, parents can track check-ins and behaviors through the parent portal - giving you insight into your child’s emotional journey, without having to "guess" how they're feeling.
Learn more about how Gheorg works to support families or download the Gheorg app today and start building emotional resilience, one check-in at a time.