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 (hello, September stomachaches) can trigger anxiety To connect with Dr. Natasha Burgert check out all her resources at https://kckidsdoc.substack.com/. Follow her on Instagram at @kckidsdoc. Buy her “Managing Childhood Anxiety For Dummies” book here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-65453859 (paid link) Another great listen: What is the gut-brain axis and how does anxiety play a role We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you! 0:00 – Understanding Childhood Anxiety: The Great Mimicker 01:21 – Welcome & Why Anxiety Matters for Kids Today 03:19 – Recognizing Signs: What Anxiety Looks Like in Children 08:00 – Talking to Kids About Anxiety in a Supportive Way 09:51 – Screening, Diagnosis & Why Rates Are Rising 17:33 – First Steps After a Positive Screen (Beyond Medication) 21:28 – Medications, Myths & How SSRIs Actually Work 30:17 – Parental Mental Health, Myths, and Back-to-School Anxiety Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices