Anxiety doesn’t always look like fidgeting, stumbling over words, sweating or shutting down. Sometimes anxiety shows up as a stomach ache, hunched shoulders, or avoiding situations. Other times it looks more like clinginess, oppositional behavior, irritability, or hyperactivity. 

Why it happens

Anxiety (worry, stress, fear, etc.) can trigger the body’s automatic “fight or flight” response. Not only does this lead to certain physiological sensations (a racing heart, sweating) and behavioral responses (avoidance, refusal), it also leads to changes in our ability to think clearly and rationally. It’s easy for children to get “stuck” within their anxious feelings and thoughts, and for that anxiety to spiral out of control. 

What you can do:

1. Model calm. It’s 100% normal to feel frustrated, annoyed or impatient when your child is anxious, especially if the thing they’re anxious about doesn’t seem such a big deal. Once that panic response has been triggered for them, forcing them through it can often backfire and lead to stronger avoidance or feelings of shame. Take a few seconds to let yourself regulate (deep breaths, a slight pause) so you can address the situation calmly and with a clear head.

1. Validate their emotions. Regardless of their reaction, there’s likely a valid reason your child is feeling anxious. Maybe they’re worried about failing, how people will perceive them, or that there’s a real danger at hand. It may be hard for your child to truly understand how they feel and why. Your ability to name and validate their feelings not only helps them feel seen and heard, but also helps them process why they’re feeling this way in the first place. 

1. Calm and reassure. If your child has been playing Mightier for a while, or has a favorite calming strategy, use it with them. Because anxiety is often a very physiological and cognitive experience, deep breathing, grounding exercises, mindful awareness, and taking a walk may be key in giving their brain and body the time to relax and reconnect with reality. 

These strategies are great for responding to the big moments when they happen, but prevention strategies, like playing Mightier, are best for building anxiety management skills.

Learn more about how Mightier’s clinically validated game-based digital mental health tool can support your child and family!