Anxiety often goes hand-in-hand with the stress that many adults and children experience in our modern world. Persistent worry, feeling overwhelmed, or being nervous about specific events, or even life in general, can contribute to the experience of anxiety. If this heightened emotional state escalates to where it interferes with a person’s ability to participate in their normal daily routine, they may be identified as having an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder can have causes resulting from an imbalance in brain chemistry and can even develop in the absence of chronic stressors. Holistic approaches can be effective in reducing and relieving the pressure-cooker of anxiety symptoms experienced by both adults and children.

Anxiety in Adults and Children Looks Different

There are a few ways in which anxiety can look different in an adult and in a child. Cognitive reasoning, analysis, moral thinking and other brain functions are still developing in children and teenagers so they do not process their experiences the same way as adults. As a result, a child or teen generally has more difficulty identifying and expressing distressful emotional states in themselves and others.

In children, anxiety symptoms may look like:

Crying spells, low mood, sadness

Angry outbursts/tantrums

Irritability

Hyperactivity or significant reduction in activity

Headaches

Frequent nightmares, disturbed sleep

Persistent restlessness

Sleepiness or falling asleep in school

Difficulty concentrating

In adults, one of the biggest differences in how anxiety presents is the adult’s ability to articulate anxiety as a state of being. They are also more likely to experience:

Muscle tension and tension headaches

Trouble sleeping

Changes in appetite

Chest pain, palpitations, high blood pressure

Panic attacks

Nausea, dizziness

Exhaustion/generalized fatigue

There are many types of anxiety disorders which can develop at any age. It’s more common for adults to be diagnosed with phobias, panic disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder while children and teens are more commonly diagnosed with separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety.

What can cause anxiety?

Like many physical and mental health conditions, anxiety can result from the interplay of:

Underlying physiological factors (thyroid condition, neurochemical imbalance, nutrient deficiency, or toxins in the blood)

Events/experiences in one’s environment (trauma)

Quality of family and other social support (friendships, especially for young people)

Gastrointestinal (Gut, GI) health: There is a scientifically proven link between gut and brain health. Inflammation in the bowels, digestive organs, and an imbalance in gut flora alters the many biochemical processes that act upon blood sugar level and mood.

Contributing factors that can worsen anxiety include quality and quantity of sleep, quality of one’s diet, timing and quantity of meals, caffeine, nicotine, and sugary food/drink consumption, amount of screen time, social isolation, lack of exercise, and abuse of alcohol and drugs (including prescription medication).

Managing Anxiety Naturally

When a person visits a holistic health practitioner with concerns about anxiety, they will have a discussion about symptoms and life experiences. The practitioner may order blood work to identify the presence of health conditions that can cause anxiety-like symptoms. Based on these results, the healthcare provider may suggest natural approaches to manage anxiety, such as:

Biofeedback/Neurofeedback

Botanical or nutritional supplements

Modifying diet to obtain a balance of nutrients and to sustain blood sugar levels

Exercising (walking, swimming, weight training)

Adjusting the sleep routine

Journaling to explore and process underlying social-emotional issues

Mindfulness meditation practice (breathwork)

Working with a professional licensed counselor

Spending time in nature

Massage, acupuncture, yoga, and other mindful relaxation strategies

Resources:

Pyramid Healthcare: “Anxiety: How is it different in adults vs. children?” Accessed 25Jun2022. https://www.pyramidhealthcarepa.com/anxiety-kids-adults/

Yale Medicine. “Childhood Stress and Anxiety Fact Sheet.” Accessed 25June2022. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/childhood-stress-and-anxiety

KidsHealth.org. “Anxiety.” Accessed 25Jun2022. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-disorders.html

Pizzorno, J. E. Textbook of Natural Medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier: 2013

PsychCentral.com: “How to Calm Anxiety Naturally.” Accessed 25June2022. https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/natural-options-for-anxiety-relief#natural-options-for-anxiety