What causes anxiety?

Several factors can cause or worsen anxiety in children including:

Genetics

Research has shown that anxiety can run in families. Therefore, a child who has a relative with an anxiety disorder is more likely to have one too. 

Brain chemistry

Research has shown that anxiety disorders are strongly associated with imbalances in specific brain regions and chemicals that regulate emotions.

Life events

Family stresses such as serious illness, bereavement, unemployment, marital conflict, and divorce can trigger anxiety in children. Stressful life events, such as starting a new school, moving house, or adapting to having a new sibling, can also trigger the onset of an anxiety disorder.

Learned behaviours

Children can pick up anxious behaviour from being around other anxious people. For example, growing up in a family where parents or siblings are fearful or anxious can teach a child to be afraid and anxious too.

Did you know?

Anxiety can also be a co-occurring condition alongside depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions.