Anxiety in Disguise

Childhood anxiety rarely looks like adult anxiety. Instead of quiet worry, anxious children often present with anger, defiance, and meltdowns. The child who melts down every morning before school may not be defiant — they may be terrified.

The cruel irony is that the coping strategy — avoidance — looks like behavior problems. A child who refuses a birthday party is not being difficult. They are self-protecting against overwhelming social anxiety. Gradual, supported exposure with a trusted adult helps.