Anxiety, Panic, and Worry in Children: When to Seek Help

An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP

Sources checked: August 9, 2026     |     Medical review completed: August 9, 2026

This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.

Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare

2497 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93611     |     559-538-3070

Worry and fear are normal parts of childhood. Help is needed when fear, panic, sadness, or emotional distress is persistent, extreme, unsafe, or interferes with school, sleep, friendships, family life, or usual activities.

Urgent Warning Signs - Check This First

Take every statement about self-harm, suicide, or harming someone else seriously. Ask directly and calmly about safety. Asking does not put the idea into a child's mind; it can open the door to help.

CALL 911 NOW

  • An immediate danger of suicide, self-harm, or harm to another person; a weapon is present; or the child cannot be kept safe

  • A child has made a suicide attempt, seriously injured themselves, taken a possible poison or overdose, or is unconscious, severely confused, or having severe trouble breathing

  • Severe agitation, violence, or behavior that creates an immediate risk to the child or others

CONTACT 988 OR GET URGENT CRISIS HELP NOW

  • Suicidal thoughts, a desire to self-harm, threats to harm others, or a safety concern that feels urgent but is not an immediate 911 emergency

  • Extreme anxiety, panic, sadness, rage, grief, or distress that cannot be calmed or is overwhelming the child or family

  • Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, for free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support in the United States. A parent or caregiver may contact 988 for help with a child or teen.

  • Stay with the child when safety is a concern. Secure medicines, firearms, alcohol, and other potentially dangerous items while obtaining help.

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY

  • A first episode of severe panic-like symptoms, chest pain, racing heart, fainting, severe breathing difficulty, or symptoms that might have a medical cause

  • Worry, panic, avoidance, sadness, irritability, sleep problems, school refusal, frequent stomachaches or headaches, or social withdrawal that is interfering with daily life

  • New emotional or behavior changes after trauma, bullying, a major loss, violence, substance exposure, a new medicine, or a significant life change

  • Repeated panic attacks, self-harm without immediate danger, or any concern that a child needs a mental-health evaluation or referral

What Anxiety and Panic Can Look Like

  • Fear or worry that is hard to control, irritability, anger, frequent reassurance-seeking, avoiding separation, school, social situations, or specific activities

  • Physical symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, shaking, sweating, nausea, chest tightness, fast heartbeat, dizziness, or fast breathing

  • A panic attack can involve a sudden intense wave of fear with racing heart, shortness of breath, shaking, dizziness, sweating, or feeling out of control. These symptoms can mimic medical illness.

  • Some children keep worries private. Changes in sleep, appetite, school performance, friendships, or interest in usual activities may be the first signs families notice.

Helping During a Non-Emergency Panic Episode

  • Stay nearby and speak slowly and calmly. Use short statements such as: 'I am here. We will get through this together.'

  • Help the child slow their breathing: gently breathe in and out at a comfortable, unforced pace. Avoid having them breathe into a paper bag.

  • Move to a quieter, safer space when possible. Reduce crowds, stimulation, arguments, caffeine, energy drinks, nicotine, vaping, alcohol, and other substances.

  • Do not dismiss the experience as 'just anxiety.' Arrange medical assessment for a first severe episode or concerning physical symptoms, and seek mental-health support for recurring episodes.

Building Ongoing Support

  • Listen without judgment and describe what you have noticed. Ask open questions: 'What has been hardest lately?' and 'What would feel helpful today?'

  • Keep regular routines for sleep, meals, school attendance, movement, and connection with supportive people as much as possible.

  • Work with the child's primary-care clinician, school team, and a qualified mental-health professional when symptoms persist or interfere with daily life. Effective treatments are available.

  • If the child has a treatment or safety plan, keep it current and share appropriate parts with caregivers and school staff as the family and child agree.

Call Preparation

  • What changed, when symptoms began, likely triggers, and how symptoms affect sleep, school, activities, friendships, and family life

  • Any statements about self-harm, suicide, harm to others, hopelessness, or feeling unsafe; what was said and any plan, access, or prior behavior

  • Physical symptoms, medicine or substance exposure, medical conditions, recent trauma, bullying, loss, or major stressors

  • Current counselors, clinicians, medicines, past mental-health care, and supports that have helped before

Related Guides

  • ·Temper Tantrums, Aggression and Big Feelings: When to Seek Help

  • Sleep Problems in Children: Bedtime, Night Waking and Nightmares

  • Chest Pain, Palpitations and Fast Heartbeat in Children: When to Seek Care

  • Headache in Children: When to Seek Care

Sources and Medical Review

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Anxiety and Depression in Children https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/about/about-anxiety-and-depression-in-children.html

  • HealthyChildren.org (AAP), Panic Disorder https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Panic-Disorder.aspx

  • HealthyChildren.org (AAP), Teen Mental Health Support 101: Types of Treatment and How to Get Help https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/teen-mental-health-support-101-types-of-treatment-how-to-get-help.aspx

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org/