Causes of Anxiety - Why is my child or teen anxious?

Parents often wonder why their child may be struggling with anxiety and frequently question whether they are responsible. These concerns are common, and it is natural to reflect on parenting practices in search of answers. However, it is important to remember that anxiety doesn't typically stem from one cause. In fact, current research suggests that anxiety results from a complex mix of genetic, environmental, life stressors, and, in some cases, neurodevelopmental factors. Understanding these elements is the first step toward supporting your anxious child.

This article will explore the evidence behind the causes of anxiety in children, focusing on factors like genetics, environmental influences, life stressors, and neurodevelopment.  Additionally, we will highlight practical approaches that parents can use to help their children navigate anxiety in a healthy and constructive way.

 1. Genes and Temperament: The Inherited Nature of Anxiety

Anxiety tends to run in families. Children who are anxious often identify at least one parent who in either has significant problems with anxiety or has a tendency to worry more than the average person. This is much more likely to be seen in children who have high levels of anxiety than those who experience normal worries.

Research has shown that what is passed onto children through their parents’ genes is a personality that is more emotionally sensitive than others. We know that children inherit hair and eye colour from their parents, well they also inherit how emotionally sensitive they are. You may have noticed that being emotionally sensitive means that anxious children can be much more caring and considerate towards others. However, alongside this it can also lead them have a tendency to be more fearful and prone to worrying more excessively than their peers. We cannot control what we inherit from our parents but we can control the impact it may have on our lives.

The Role of Emotional Sensitivity

Children who are emotionally sensitive may be more attuned to their surroundings and other people's feelings, making them compassionate and empathetic. However, this sensitivity also makes them more vulnerable to feeling overwhelmed, fearful, or anxious. Emotional sensitivity manifests as heightened responses to stressors, leading to more intense emotional reactions.

For example, emotionally sensitive children may worry excessively about things that other children do not find distressing, such as minor changes in routine or social situations. While these biological factors predispose some children to be more anxious, it is essential to note that this predisposition can be managed with the right support and strategies.

 2. Environmental Factors

Family Behaviours

The environment in which a child is raised also plays a significant role in shaping their anxiety levels. Children learn how to respond to their emotions and their environment by observing others, particularly their parents. Through this lens, we can understand that children absorb cues from how parents manage stress, fear, and anxiety.

Parental Anxiety and Modelling

Research has shown that children of anxious parents are more likely to interpret ambiguous situations as threatening, largely because they have learned to do so through observation. This can set up patterns of avoidance that prevent children from building confidence in their ability to handle anxiety-provoking situations.

We know that children learn how to interact with the world by watching and copying their parents. This includes the way we as parents deal with our own anxious feelings. If a parent avoids a situation that makes them anxious, then their child will learn this is the best way to handle anxiety. Remember as stated earlier, this is not the entire cause of your child’s anxiety as many things contribute it, but it is good to be aware of what our children may be learning by watching us.

Overprotectiveness and Reinforcement of Fear

While parents naturally want to shield their children from harm or distress, being overprotective can inadvertently reinforce anxiety. Studies have shown that children who are overprotected by their parents, meaning they are discouraged from confronting challenges on their own, are more likely to develop anxiety disorders. Although we mean well, we can in fact allow the child to avoid facing their fear by acting in a very protective way. This can be especially true if the parent is also anxious, as this makes them more likely to anticipate potential danger so rush in and help even when it isn’t necessary. This can communicate to the child that the world is a dangerous place and that they are incapable of handling it independently, which fosters reliance on the parent and increases the child’s perception of threats.

Allowing children to face manageable challenges without rushing in to solve their problems can help build resilience. Encouraging them to try new things and praising their efforts, even if they are not immediately successful. It helps to counteract anxious tendencies by reinforcing a sense of mastery and capability. These are just some things that an anxious child may pick up on and could strength their already anxious tendencies, so it is helpful to hold them in mind.

Other family factors

Other family factors related to a child’s anxiety include; that it creates a problem that holds the family together, particularly for example if parents are separating; or it gives the child ‘special time’ with a parent in a busy household with other siblings, for example at bedtime, which can occur in the case of separation anxiety.

3. Life Stressors: Triggers for Anxiety

Even though genetics and environment set the foundation for anxiety, stressful life events can act as immediate triggers. Stressful experiences, particularly those that involve a significant change or loss, are known to increase anxiety in both children and adults.

Common Life Stressors

Common life stressors that can trigger anxiety in children include:

• Starting a new school or transitioning to a new grade.
• Parental separation or divorce.
• Moving to a new home or area.
• The birth of a new sibling.
• Bullying or peer rejection.
• Serious illness in the child or family member.
• A traumatic event, such as a car accident, or exposure to violence.

While all children are likely to experience anxiety in response to such events, those who are already emotionally sensitive are more likely to develop ongoing anxiety as a result of these stressors. A study highlighted that the more stressful life events a child encounters, the more likely they are to develop an anxiety disorder, especially if they are already predisposed to emotional sensitivity. 

4. Neurodevelopmental Factors

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety. Research shows that up to 40% of children with ASD also have clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Similarly, children with ADHD often struggle with anxiety, particularly when they feel unable to meet behavioural expectations or manage their impulses.

Sensory Processing Issues

For children with ASD or sensory processing issues, anxiety may stem from being overwhelmed by sensory input, such as loud noises, bright lights, or crowded environments. These children often experience sensory overload, which can trigger feelings of panic or distress. A study noted that children with ASD are more likely to experience social anxiety due to difficulties in understanding social cues or adapting to unpredictable situations.

Cognitive Rigidity and Difficulty with Change

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders also tend to struggle with cognitive rigidity, meaning they may find it difficult to adapt to new situations or changes in routine. For example, an unexpected change in their daily schedule can trigger a high level of distress. These children often feel safest when they can predict and control their environment, so any disruption to their routine may provoke intense anxiety. Working with these children on coping skills and providing them with tools to manage change can be particularly helpful.

5. Other Contributing Factors: Sleep, Diet, and Physical Health

Emerging research has begun to explore how other factors, such as sleep and nutrition, can contribute to anxiety in children. Research has found that children who do not get enough sleep are more likely to experience anxiety. Poor sleep patterns can disrupt emotional regulation, making it harder for children to manage stress and fear.

Similarly, diet can play a role. A diet high in processed foods and sugar has been linked to increased anxiety symptoms, as these types of food can affect mood-regulating neurotransmitters in the brain. Encouraging a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins may help improve emotional regulation.

6. Supporting an Anxious Child or Teen: Practical Strategies

Understanding the causes of your child’s anxiety is the first step, but equally important is knowing how to support them. Here are some evidence-based strategies that parents can use:

1. Model Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Show your child how to deal with stress constructively. Whether it's deep breathing, mindfulness, or problem-solving, children who see their parent’s use healthy coping strategies are more likely to adopt these methods themselves.
2. Encourage Gradual Exposure: Encourage your child to face their fears in small, manageable steps. This technique has been proven effective in reducing anxiety. For example, if your child is afraid of dogs, start by looking at pictures of dogs, then progress to being in the same room with a calm dog.
3. Create Predictability: Establishing routines can help anxious children feel more secure, especially those with neurodevelopmental disorders. When changes are necessary, give your child advance notice and talk through what will happen.
4. Praise Efforts, Not Outcomes: Help your child focus on their efforts and progress rather than whether they succeeded perfectly. This promotes resilience and reduces the fear of failure.

Summary 

Your child and teens anxiety is a multifaceted issue with no single cause. It is the result of a combination of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, life stressors, and, in some cases, neurodevelopmental factors. By understanding these contributing factors, parents can take steps to support their child, build resilience, and foster healthy coping strategies. Ultimately, while parents cannot control every aspect of their child’s world, they can provide the tools and environment needed to help manage anxiety.

I hope this article was useful is identifying is possible underlying causes to your child’s anxiety. The more informed you are about anxiety the more empowered you’ll feel to support your child or teen and know when to seek further help. Join out parent community for support from other parents whose kids and teens are experiencing anxiety and see the ‘Seek Help’ section of our website for more information.