Anxiety & Depression Guide
Understanding Anxiety & Depression at any age — at home, at school and in life.
WRITTEN BY:
Micaelia Randolph, EdD, MA
Educational Consultant
REVIEWED BY:
Erin Hoolihan, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
A View of Anxiety & Depression Across the Lifespan
Anxiety and depressive disorders can develop at any age and are often thought of as being caused by an interaction between someone’s genes and their environment. Over the past few years, incidence of these conditions more than doubled with 20% experiencing anxiety and 25% experiencing depression. Youth of various marginalized identities (LGBTQ, ethnicity, race, immigrants, etc.) are disproportionately impacted. The intersection of these identities may also bring systemic injustice that can lead to mental health challenges. Anxiety and depression frequently occur together and can be accompanied by behavior challenges, learning differences, social challenges, academic difficulties, conflict with family and friends, changes in sleeping and eating, difficulty concentrating and more.
Young Child
Most young children have fears or concerns that can be part of growing up—things like fear of the dark or loud noises. Most children outgrow these fears, and with others, these fears and worries persist.
- Persistent worry or fear
- Very worried about the future
- Extreme separation anxiety
- Extreme irritability or anger
- Excessive crying
- Stomachaches and/or headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Recurring bad dreams
School Age Child
As children start school, anxiety and depression may increase. For school-age children, anxiety can show itself in a broad range of symptoms and behaviors that can sometimes affect their school experience—socially, emotionally and academically.
- Behavioral challenges at school
- Lack of interest in fun activities
- Sadness and excessive worry
- Withdrawal from friends
- School refusal
- Moodiness
- Problems with concentration
- Changes in appetite
- Disruptions in sleep
Adolescent
Teens are faced with many social and academic pressures along with the fact that they are developing physically and emotionally and experiencing continuing maturation of their brain. Their anxiety can be more complex and include depression.
- Persistent sadness or worry
- Mood swings
- Emotional outbursts
- Panic attacks
- Withdrawal from friends
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Difficulty getting through the day
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Disordered eating
- Self-harm
- Substance abuse
Adult
Anxiety and depression can increase in young adults as they are faced with mounting academic expectations, a perception of the need to be effortlessly perfect, relationship challenges and worries about the state of the world.
- Self-doubt
- Low self esteem
- Feeling hopeless
- Loss of energy
- Sleep disruption (insomnia or too little sleep)
- Isolating socially
- Self-harm
- Substance abuse
- Spiraling worry
Your Questions Answered
Top questions answered by CHC experts.
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CHC Voices of Compassion Podcast
Our weekly CHC podcast with expert insights, inspiration and creative conversations about mental health, education and family.
When Young Children Are Anxious
EPISODE 14, SEASON 2 | DECEMBER 9, 2021
with Glen R. Elliott, PhD, MD and Natalie Pon, MD
Young children typically experience some degree of fear — of separation, the dark, strangers, loud noises and new experiences. But how do we know when it’s something more and prevent these fears from interfering with our children’s daily lives? In this podcast episode, we chat with two child and adolescent psychiatrists, Dr. Natalie Pon and Dr. Glen Elliott, to discuss the various ways anxiety presents in young children, what is typical vs. troubling and the role of play in managing fear. Parents and caregivers of children under 6 will find our conversation especially relevant.
Can My School Aged Child Really Be Depressed?
EPISODE 29, SEASON 2 | MAY 3, 2022
with Dr. Patrice Crisostomo and Annemarie Kelleghan
A lack of socialization over the past two years has a lot of parents worried about their children’s language development. In fact, one of the most viewed articles in our online Resource Library right now focuses on speech delays in young children during COVID. How do we know when our kids should be progressing from first words to full sentences? Have masks and social distancing affected typical language development? Where should we turn if we’re concerned? Today’s podcast guests — two CHC Speech and Language Pathologists — will put these questions to rest and share ideas to foster healthy language development at home.
Understanding Anxiety: What is Typical and What is Not
EPISODE 26, SEASON 2 | APRIL 5, 2022
with Christa Johnson, PsyD and Jessica Shankman, MA
Autism can present in many different ways, but at its core it’s about social communication. Autism is usually suspected at a young age because children aren’t developing language or social skills at the same rate as their peers. Sometimes parents don’t want to have their child screened for autism because they are afraid of labels, stigma and limitations. But while overwhelming, diagnosis can also bring support, services and maybe even relief. Don’t miss this special podcast episode with two CHC experts who are also parents of young children with autism. Join us to hear personal and professional advice for finding empathy, understanding and community while raising a child on the spectrum.
Featured Articles
Read our top articles helping with anxiety and depression for kids and youth.
Anxiety and Depression in Children: Get the Facts
Although some fears and worries are typical in children, persistent or extreme forms of fear and sadness could be due to anxiety or depression.
Many children have fears and worries, and may feel sad and hopeless from time to time. Strong fears may appear at different times during development. For example, toddlers are often very distressed about being away from their parents, even if they are safe and cared for.
Learn more about anxiety and depression in children.
10 Strategies to Build Your Anxiety Toolkit
Anxiety can wreck your mental and physical health. These tactics will give you short-term relief and long-term strategies to manage it.
It’s hard to tame anxiety when you suppress it, hate it or, worse, stoke it. Approach anxiety like you would any other surmountable problem. Consider these tactics for addressing your anxiety.
Digital Tools for Mental Health
High-quality digital resources can play a part in improving and maintaining mental and emotional health. Some are meant to be used independently, and others can be a valuable complement to professional care.
Theses tools have been curated by experts from the Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services at CHC.
How We Help
CHC provides life-changing services for learning differences and mental health for young adults, kids and teens.
RISE Intensive Outpatient Program
RISE: A Comprehensive DBT Intensive Outpatient Program for Teens
RISE is designed for teens ages 13-18 (grades 8-12) who have suicidal thoughts/ behaviors, recently attempted suicide, and/or repetitively engage in self-harm behaviors. A joint program between CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services and Stanford Children’s Health, RISE offers a comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program, including individual and group therapy, family skills groups and 24/7 phone coaching for teens. You are not alone. Learn more and reach out today.
Anxiety Parent Support Group
You are not alone. Connect with other parents at a monthly parent support group for parents of children and teens with Anxiety.
Does your child or teen struggle to manage their anxiety and depression? As parent, do you need support with your own mental health while supporting your child? Join other parents and caregivers at our free, virtual monthly support group facilitated by CHC experts with extensive experience serving children, adolescents and families. Sign Up Now!
Join CHC’s Virtual Village
A community of experts, parents, kids, teens and young adults who support and celebrate neurodiversity.
Sign up for CHC’s Virtual Village email list to be the first to know about new CHC expert content, events, programs and more! We’re in this together.
Therapy for Young Adults
Individually designed therapy for you to take charge of your own mental health and wellbeing.
The Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services at CHC provides specialized, age-appropriate mental health services to address a variety of concerns for young adults. Learn more about our Young Adult Therapy services.
Esther B. Clark Schools
Esther B. Clark Schools (EBC) provides transformative education to Bay Area students in grades K-10 in a caring, therapeutic day school setting.
At EBC Schools, we understand that behavioral challenges are a manifestation of emotional dysregulation, and do not define our students. With the expertise of EBC’s program and staff, children with social-emotional challenges re-engage in learning and develop positive skills to transition back to a more traditional school setting.
We have campuses in Palo Alto and San Jose — visit us to learn more!
Psychiatry & Medication Management
Safe, effective and developmentally appropriate strategies to diagnose and treat mental health and behavioral concerns.
CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services offers a client-centered, comprehensive approach in collaboration with parents and allied providers. Our expert psychiatry team recommends and monitors any use of medications in tandem with a strong emphasis on therapeutic interventions. Contact our Care Team to learn more careteam@testing.chconline.org.
Our Experts
At CHC, we have learning and mental health experts who can help you overcome barriers to learning and help you develop skills that last for a lifetime. Real people you can talk to. People who can really help.
Erin Hoolihan, PsyD
(she/her)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Tracy Cavaligos, PsyD
(she/her)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Emily Sullivan, LMFT
(she/her)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Comprehensive & Integrated Services for Learning Differences & Mental Health
CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
CHC therapists provide specialized, individualized and age-appropriate services for you to take charge of your own mental health and wellbeing. Services in California.
The SLC@CHC empowers all types of learners to adopt tools and strategies to support their unique strengths. Students and young adults with diagnosed or suspected ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities discover their gifts, strengths and potential.
Related CHC Offerings
Check out other CHC offerings for services and support for kids, teens and young adults with anxiety and depression.
Crisis Resources
Please refer to these 24/7 crisis lines for immediate help. You are not alone.
Stay Connected with CHC
Follow CHC on our social channels to stay in-the-know about our latest resources, services and events.
