When most people think about anxiety, they picture someone constantly worrying, overthinking,
or feeling overwhelmed. While those can absolutely be signs of anxiety, the reality is that
anxiety does not always look the way we expect it to.

One reason anxiety can be difficult to recognize is that it often shows up differently depending
on a person’s age. A child struggling with anxiety may not tell you they are anxious. Instead,
they might complain of stomachaches, refuse to go to school, or become unusually irritable.

Adults, on the other hand, are often more aware of their worries but may find themselves trapped
in cycles of overthinking, stress, and physical tension.

Although anxiety affects people of all ages, understanding how it presents differently in children
and adults can make it easier to recognize when someone may need additional support.

Why Anxiety Looks Different in Children

Children experience many of the same emotions that adults do, but they don’t always have the
words or emotional awareness to explain what they are feeling. While an adult can recognize that
they are anxious about work, finances, or relationships, a child often just knows that something
feels “wrong.”

Because of this, anxiety in children is more likely to show up through behaviors rather than
words. Instead of saying they’re worried or overwhelmed, they may complain of frequent
stomachaches or headaches, have trouble sleeping, avoid certain situations, or become unusually
clingy with parents or caregivers. Some children may also become irritable, emotional, or have
outbursts that seem out of character.

For example, a child who refuses to go to school may not just be acting out. They may be
experiencing anxiety about separating from their parents, interacting with classmates, speaking
in front of the class, or worrying about making mistakes.

Research also suggests that children often experience anxiety physically. Frequent headaches,
stomachaches, muscle tension, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping can all be signs that anxiety is
affecting them, even when no underlying medical cause is present. Because these symptoms can
resemble common childhood illnesses or behavioral challenges, anxiety may sometimes go
unrecognized or be mistaken for something else.

This is one of the reasons childhood anxiety can be difficult to identify. Adults naturally focus on
the behavior they can see, but the anxiety underneath is often what truly needs attention.

How Anxiety Shows Up in Adults

Adults generally have a greater ability to recognize and describe their emotions, but that doesn’t
necessarily make anxiety easier to manage. Instead of expressing anxiety through behaviors,
adults often experience it internally through persistent worry, racing thoughts, and chronic stress.

Many adults describe anxiety as feeling like they can never fully relax. They may constantly
think about everything they need to accomplish, replay conversations in their minds, or worry
about situations that haven’t even happened yet. Even during moments that are meant to be
relaxing, their minds continue searching for the next thing to worry about.

Some of the most common signs of anxiety in adults include excessive worrying, overthinking,
difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, irritability, restlessness, sleep disturbances, and
avoiding situations that feel overwhelming. Anxiety can also show up physically through
headaches, digestive issues, low appetite, fatigue, or a racing heart.

One of the challenges with adult anxiety is that it is often normalized. Feeling stressed has
become such a common part of daily life that many people assume constant worry is simply part
of adulthood. As a result, people may live with anxiety for months or even years before
recognizing that what they’re experiencing isn’t just stress; it’s something they don’t have to
manage alone.

While Anxiety May Look Different, the Feelings Are Often the Same

Although anxiety can present differently in children and adults, the emotions underneath are
often very similar. Whether it’s a child refusing to go to school or an adult lying awake worrying
about work, both may be experiencing the same feelings of fear, uncertainty, or being
overwhelmed.

The biggest difference is often how those feelings are expressed. Children are still learning how
to understand and communicate their emotions, so anxiety is more likely to appear through
behaviors or physical symptoms. Adults, on the other hand, usually recognize that they are
anxious but may struggle with persistent worry, racing thoughts, or chronic stress that begins to
affect their daily lives.

Recognizing these differences is important because it can help parents, caregivers, and
individuals identify anxiety earlier and seek support before it begins to interfere with school,
work, relationships, or overall well-being.

How Therapy Can Help

Whether anxiety affects a child or an adult, one thing remains the same: it doesn’t have to be
managed alone. Therapy provides a safe, supportive space to better understand anxiety, identify
its triggers, and develop healthy coping strategies that can improve daily life.

For children, therapy often focuses on helping them recognize and express their emotions, build
confidence, and learn age-appropriate coping skills. Therapists may also work closely with
parents to help them better understand their child’s anxiety and provide strategies for supporting
them at home and in everyday situations.

For adults, therapy can help identify patterns of thinking that contribute to anxiety, improve
emotional regulation, and provide practical tools for managing stress, excessive worry, and
overwhelming emotions.

Therapy isn’t about eliminating anxiety completely. Everyone experiences anxiety from time to
time. Instead, therapy helps individuals better understand where their anxiety comes from,
recognize patterns that may be keeping it going, and develop practical coping strategies that
make anxiety feel more manageable. Over time, these skills can improve confidence, emotional
resilience, and overall quality of life.

You Don’t Have to Navigate Anxiety Alone

Anxiety can look different from one person to the next, but no matter your age, support is
available. If anxiety is beginning to interfere with your daily life or your child’s well-being,
reaching out for help can be an important first step.

At Westside Psych, our therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based care for children,
adolescents, adults, and families experiencing anxiety. We are committed to helping each client
better understand their emotions, build healthy coping strategies, and develop the tools needed to
navigate life challenges with confidence. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your
child, our team is here to help every step of the way.

Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about our services and find the therapist who is
the right fit for you or your family.