Issue 28: The Interaction of Racism and Anxiety in Children | Dr Samantah Sweeney

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health diagnoses that affects children in the United States today. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as of 2022-2023, 11% of children have an anxiety diagnosis.

Anxiety is a treatable condition. Both medication and therapy have been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of anxiety. A recent study that looked at the treatment efficacy of anxiety interventions in young children (Fisak et al., 2023) indicated that anxiety interventions were effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and that this reduction in symptoms was long-lasting.

Although it is true that anxiety is treatable, it is still a condition that can be difficult to manage for kids and their families. Anxiety can affect a child in many areas of their life, including academics, sports, social interactions, performance, relationships, etc. A child with heightened anxiety may choose to opt out of a birthday party because a close friend cannot attend with them. Another child may struggle to sleep prior to a big test because they are so worried about it. Yet another child may decline to try out for the soccer team because the performance expectations of game day stresses them out too much.

Anxiety has the ability to drive children forward or hold them back.

If well managed, anxiety can have benefits for kids. It can help children remember to study before a quiz, allow them to take one more look in the mirror before going to an event, or practice their serve before a tennis match. Anxiety has the ability to drive children forward or hold them back. For kids with anxiety disorders, that is often a very fine line.