Information for Children and Youth
Everyone is scared at one time or another. Feeling anxious is a natural reaction that alerts you to danger, so it can be very useful. Your body gets ready to react so you can flee or fight. For example, your heart speeds up and your muscles tighten. This is a healthy reaction. If you have problems at home, at school or with your health, you may feel anxious about them. These feelings usually disappear again when the problems disappear.
Sometimes you also feel anxious for no apparent reason, or you are much more afraid of something than you should be. For example, you are afraid to go to certain places (e.g. a square or public transport), you don't want to do something because you are nervous about it (such as giving a speech or having blood tests) or you worry a lot about anything and everything, which makes it difficult to concentrate or to sleep.
If you are often very scared, suffer greatly from this and no longer dare to do certain ‘normal’ or important things, you may have an anxiety disorder. By avoiding things, the anxiety does not diminish, but often worsens. This can make it increasingly difficult, for example, to go to school, make and maintain friendships, do fun things or work.
If you notice that your anxiety is getting worse, don't keep running with it. The sooner you treat your anxiety symptoms, the easier it will be to get rid of them. Talk about it with someone you trust. For example, your friends, your parents, your teacher, the doctor or a confidant at school.
