Anxiety in children symptoms checklist

The current blogspot will be based on “anxiety symptoms in children checklist”. We will focus on the various aspects that an anxiety in children symptoms checklist is based on. We will also include an anxiety in children symptoms checklist in this article.

What is an anxiety in children symptoms checklist?

Anxiety in children symptoms checklist is a checklist to screen out the anxiety symptoms and associated features of anxiety among children. The anxiety symptoms checklist is usually based on the diagnostic criteria of anxiety in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 5 edition. 

The diagnostic criteria for anxiety symptoms on DSM 5 edition includes :

1. The presence of excessive anxiety and worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities. Worry occurs more often than not for at least six months and is clearly excessive.
2. The worry is experienced as very challenging to control. The worry in both adults and children may easily shift from one topic to another.
3. The anxiety and worry are accompanied by at least three of the following physical or cognitive symptoms (In children, only one of these symptoms is necessary for a diagnosis of GAD):

• Edginess or restlessness
• Tiring easily; more fatigued than usual
• Impaired concentration or feeling as though the mind goes blank
• Irritability (which may or may not be observable to others)
• Increased muscle aches or soreness
• Difficulty sleeping (due to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, restlessness at night, or unsatisfying sleep)

The usual anxiety symptoms that are generally observed among children are as follows :

• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep difficulty
• Difficulty in eating
• Irritable mood
• Increased reactivity
• Constant worry
• Negative thoughts
• Feeling annoyed
• Feeling tensed
• Developing irritable bowel syndrome
• Being more clingy
• always crying
• Feeling on the edge
• Being  more quiet
• Being very afraid when away from parents (separation anxiety)
• Developing extreme fear of various things like elevators, escalators, spiders, dogs , cats etc.
• Fear related to meeting people and going to places alone.
• Avoiding being alone in places that are already known
• Having adjustment issues
• Feeling separation anxiety and clinging to parents
• Having severe fears related to test performance
• Having repeated episodes of sudden, unexpected, intense fear 
• Complaining about symptoms like heart pounding, having trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy, shaky, or sweaty 
• Escaping situations that require participation
• Having pending school work
• Facing difficulty learning lesson
• Having incomplete home tasks
• Not playing with favourite toy
• Not enjoying time with pet
• Destroying toys instead of playing with them
• Having difficulty complaining about exact feelings
• Having trouble about speaking to people
• Stuttering
• Stammering while talking
• Occasional forgetfulness
• bedwetting

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anxiety in children symptoms checklist

An anxiety in children symptom checklist is based on the following items that are responded to by the caregiver of the individuals or parents by keeping in mind their child’s behavioral patterns and routine activity. 

The checklist items are responded to on a likert scale rating system ranging from 1 being minimum to 4 being maximum. The items on an anxiety in children symptoms checklist includes :

• My child avoids places and people

• Often 
• Usually
• Never

• My child likes to be alone in class

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child often throws things

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• Me child reacts with irritability on minor things

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has eating difficulties

•      Often
•     Usually
• Never

• My child has been having problem eating meals

• Often
• Usually
• Never
• My child has lost her interest in his favourite food

• Often
• Usually
• Never
• My child has been feeling more annoyed than usual for past few weeks

•       Often
• Usually
• Never
• I feel my child is more clingy for past few weeks

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child is more sensitive emotionally for past few days

• Often 
• Usually
• Never

• My child has been crying more often and more easily than before 

• Often
• Usually 
• Never

• My child appears fidgety 

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child appears nervous

• Often
• Usually
• Never
• My child grinds her teeth

• Often
• Usually
• Never
• My child moves his/her legs more often

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child is usually restless

•  Often
• Usually 
• Never

• My child complains stomach ache more often

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has irritable bowel

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child often complains feeling nausea

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has difficulty focusing

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child get nervous and sweaty

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child often complains feeling heavy in chest

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child often complains butterflies in stomach

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child’s face flushes due to restlessness

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child often complains about somatic pains

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child often says that he feels weird

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child appears to be less friendly for past few weeks

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has been screaming more then usual for past few days

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child finds it difficult to sleep on her bed time and is fussy these days 

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has been soiling her pants for past few days though she has no stomach issues 

• Often
• Usually 
• Never

• My child has lost interest in things he used to enjoy a few weeks back

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child doesn’t want to play with friends for past few days

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has been throwing severe tantrums for past few days

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child doesn’t want to go to school for past few days

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has started hitting his siblings recently out of irritability

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• My child has recently started wetting his bed though there are no medical symptoms

• Often
• Usually
• Never

• I have observed my child stammering while communicating his ideas for past few days

• Often
• Usually
• Never

Conclusion

The current blogspot focused on the anxiety in children symptoms checklist. We discussed the various symptoms related to anxiety in children and also focused on a checklist that can help us screen out anxiety symptoms among children.

Frequently asked questions : anxiety in children symptoms checklist

What are signs of anxiety in a child?

The signs of anxiety in a child include the following :

• Difficult concentrating
• Irritability
• Frustration
• Being fidgety
• Inadequate sleep

What are 3 warning signs of anxiety?

The three warning signs of anxiety include the following :

• Irritability
• Trembling or shaking
• Avoiding people and places

What are common physical signs and symptoms of anxiety in youth?

The common physical signs and symptoms of anxiety in youth include :

• Rapid heartbeat.
• Sweating and trembling.
• Dizziness.
• Upset stomach.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Feeling like they’re dying.
• Feeling like they’re “going crazy

Citations

https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/screenings/screening-anxiety-disorder-children

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/anxiety-disorders-in-children/

https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/depression.html

https://tutorful.co.uk/guides/the-expert-guide-to-help-your-child-with-anxiety/symptoms-of-anxiety-in-children-a-checklist