You can download the Types of Big Worries: Information Sheet here.
Big Worries/Fears Information Sheet
Big Worries (anxiety) are a normal part of everyone’s life. Anxiety is a natural human response to new, unknown, or unpredictable situations/things, and many children may struggle with big worries from time to time. Many people experience different types of big worries throughout their lives.
However, when these big worries begin to interfere with daily life, development, or functioning, additional support, guidance, and care may be necessary.
Below is a list of four types of big worries/fears, along with brief (not exhaustive) descriptions that may be helpful:
Big General Worries (Generalized Anxiety)
Children that experience big general worries may worry daily about many different things, such as their health, making mistakes, getting hurt, going to school (homework, doing tests, attending recess), the safety of their loved ones, bad weather and storms, or global events (war).
• These worries can make it difficult to focus, sleep, eat, or have fun.
• Feelings of tension, being on edge, complaining of being tired, exhibiting restlessness, or being easily annoyed or angered are common symptoms.
• It may be hard (and sometimes seem impossible) for kids to feel okay, no matter how much they are reassured by their loved ones.
Big Separation Worries (Separation Anxiety)
It is normal for younger children to feel anxious when they are away from their adults. But if these worries do not fade and, instead, increase with time (when traumatic experiences do not occur), then additional support may be required.
Children that are experiencing big separation worries may fear that something bad will happen to them or their loved ones while they are apart. These worries can be triggered while they are away from loved ones, thinking about being apart from them, or anticipating being separated.
These worries may cause children to frequently miss school, refuse to attend group activities (e.g. after school programs, summer camps), or avoid social events (e.g. sleepovers, birthday parties) without their adult being present.
While experiencing worries like these, children may physically cling to their adults, cry uncontrollably, have nightmares, have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or avoid being
in rooms without their adults close by.
Big Social Worries (Social Anxiety)
Big Social Worries can cause kids to fear what other people may think or say about them or worry about embarrassing themselves. Some children may do fine in some settings, but their fears are triggered in others.
Children that are navigating through big social worries may intentionally try avoiding generating attention to themselves, may freeze or panic when spoken to in social settings, may worry about being watched while eating, may avoid groups of people (even friends), being in community settings, or attending family events and other social settings.
Big social worries can cause children to complain of feeling sick or tired, and have other symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, excessive blushing, or shakiness in their body.
Big Specific Fears (Specific Phobias)
Big specific fears cause children to be persistently fearful and afraid of specific things such as animals, insects, needles, blood, throwing up, choking, thunderstorms, water, heights, people in costumes, crowds, tight spaces, loud noises, the dark, etc.
Younger children may experience temper tantrums and cling to their adults because of these fears.
If children are having to be or anticipating being near the specific fears that bother them, they may feel terrified, are hard to comfort, and will want to avoid the specific fearful situations.
Sources:
• kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-disorders.html
• bcchr.ca/news/anxiety-disorders-kids-what-parents-need-know
• childmind.org/guide/anxiety-in-children-quick-guid
