Feeling anxious now and then is normal. If worry, fear, or panic does not go away, is felt in many situations, or gets in the way of daily life, talk with a health care provider.
Get help as soon as possible, especially if a behavior is new or has increased. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health · Warning signs of suicide
Common signs
Constant worry
Source: National Institute of Mental Health · Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic
Source: National Institute of Mental Health · Panic disorder
Social fear
Source: National Institute of Mental Health · Social anxiety disorder
Stress or anxiety?
Stress is the body's response to an outside cause, such as a lot of homework or an illness. Anxiety is the body's reaction to stress and can happen even when there is no current threat. Occasional stress and anxiety are normal. If anxiety does not go away and starts to interfere with daily activities, it may be an anxiety disorder.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health · Generalized anxiety disorder
Different ages, different signs
Often seeming fearful or worried, frequent stomachaches or headaches with no known medical cause, sleep problems or frequent nightmares, or trouble playing with other children.
National Institute of Mental Health · Children and mental health
A child who talks freely at home but cannot speak at school or around people they do not know well, for at least a month, may have selective mutism.
Severe distress at separation after about age 2, refusing school or sleep without the caregiver, and constant worry that something bad will happen to them.
Worries often center on school, activities, friendships, and the future. They may fear mistakes or disappointing others and push for perfection to manage anxiety.
National Institute of Mental Health · Generalized anxiety disorder
Trying to avoid school, trouble making friends, stomachaches or headaches, emotional outbursts, or refusing to speak in social situations.
National Institute of Mental Health · Social anxiety disorder
Often highly nervous about job security, health, finances, family members' well-being, being late, or keeping up with chores. Symptoms are often worse during stress.
National Institute of Mental Health · Generalized anxiety disorder
Next step
A health care provider can ask about your symptoms, do a physical exam and lab tests to make sure another health problem is not the cause, and talk through treatment. Source
