Sometimes, what appears to be anxiety is a symptom of something else. It's important to be a detective and look for other clues.
ADHD: A child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder might seem anxious or restless, but their underlying challenge is with focus and impulse control. They might blurt out an answer in class and then worry about what their friends think, but the initial behaviour was not driven by anxiety. An anxious child, in contrast, might be too worried to even raise their hand. The core difference is the driver of the behaviour. Is it a difficulty with self-regulation, or is it a fear of negative outcomes?
Depression: While anxiety is a high-energy state of distress, depression can be a low-energy state of sadness and hopelessness. A child with depression might stop doing their favourite activities, but not because they are worried about them; it's because they no longer have the energy or interest. They might seem withdrawn and irritable, whereas an anxious child might seem agitated or keyed up. It's also possible for a child to experience both anxiety and depression at the same time, which is why a professional evaluation is so important.
OCD: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and the need to perform specific behaviours (compulsions) to get rid of them. While an anxious child might worry about germs, a child with OCD feels a compulsion to engage in a specific, repetitive action to neutralize that worry, like washing their hands for a precise amount of time. They may be tormented by intrusive thoughts that lead to these ritualistic behaviours. The key differentiator is the presence of these repetitive rituals that are done to reduce distress.
