Childhood Anxiety: From Symptoms to Support in a Time of Rising Rates

Anxiety in kids doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it shows up as stomachaches, sleep struggles, irritability, or even constant visits to the school nurse. As pediatricians, we know this is one of the most common challenges families face today and parents are often left wondering: Is this normal? Do I need to be worried? What do I do next? In this episode, I’m joined by pediatrician and author Dr. Natasha Burgert, who just released Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies. We talk about how anxiety can look different in kids, when parents should reach out for help, and the many supportive steps families can take before medication is even on the table. We cover: The many faces of anxiety in children (it’s often a chameleon) How to talk to your child about anxiety without making it scarier Why early screening matters and what those forms really mean (spoiler: not a label) Common myths about medication and how SSRIs actually work How school transitions ...