Children’s Anxiety Checklist
Use The
following check list to observe your child. This list should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health. This only a guide/reference. Please seek professional help if you have concerns.
o Constant worry about things that might happen
(What if I fall down again, what if my sister
gets really sick again and has to go to the hospital?)
o Anger more often than usual
(He looked at me!! I hate him! Why is he
looking at me?!)
o Perfectionism
(balling up a piece of paper because of
a simple fixable mistake to redo it.
Upset when something is not done the way they want or expected.)
o Poor memory and concentration
(forgetting to do a task you told them to do
not that long ago, or asking you what you told the child to do more than once,
completing a task incorrectly after being provided specific/simple
instructions.)
o Aggression (verbal and physical)
(destructive on purpose, hitting, kicking, biting, pushing,
threats, etc)
o Pessimistic or negative thinking often
(Mommy might get hurt, my teacher is going to give me an F, What
if a tornado comes??)
o Restlessness, irritability, tantrums
(Unable to get a good night’s sleep, upset
often over things that may seem silly to you)
o Opposition and defiance
(Refusing to do what they are told, testing
boundaries, responding “NO!” often)
o Crying
(again… upset
often over things that may seem silly to you)
o Avoidance
(He or she will not go to place, specifically
public places or places they have never been to. Scared of new situations) (ex:
Excited about a friend’s party until the time comes to go to the party, then
refusing to go.)
o Sleep patterns/routine changes
(difficulty falling asleep, trouble sleeping
the entire night, nightmares, refusing to go to bed etc)
o Clinginess or fear of separation
(crying, screaming or throwing a tantrum when
you attempt to leave, even if only for a moment)
o Procrastination
(“I’ll do it later” “I’ll do it in a minute” “Can I do that
tomorrow.”)
o Physical complaints
(stomachaches, feeling tired, headaches,
fatigue, sore throat, tightness or tension)
o Withdrawal from activities and family interactions
(family outings or get-togethers appear to
cause uneasiness or stress for the child.)
o Eating patterns/habits have changed
(Hoarding food in room or secret places, won’t eat in front of
others, refusing to eat certain types of foods.)
o Over-exaggerating
(I always get into trouble because of other people, I am always
last)
o Rigidity and inflexibility, self-criticism,
guilty thoughts, etc.
(I can’t do that. No, I didn’t try it but I know I can’t.)
If you have checked 5 or more of these symptoms
it may be time for you to seek professional guidance from your child’s primary
care doctor for how to proceed with diagnosis and/or treatment.
Your child’s pediatrician may
refer you to a specialist for further assessment/evaluation
