Decoding Childhood Anxiety: Distinguishing Between Anxiety and Stress

Many parents struggle to differentiate between stress and anxiety in children. Stress is an external pressure or tension exerted on a child, while anxiety is the response to that stress. Clues that a child may be experiencing anxiety or stress include changes in sleeping or eating patterns, irritability, tearfulness, stomachaches, and refusal to go to school. Stress is usually temporary and caused by a specific problem, while anxiety can persist even after the stressor is gone and may involve worrying without a known cause. There are multiple childhood anxiety disorders, each with different symptoms. Children with generalized anxiety disorder often feel less in control and have persistent worry over various things.