The Follow-Up: Anxious Parents, Anxious Kids

Both my husband and I have anxiety. So yeah, we are two anxious people raising kids and watching closely for signs of anxiety in them. The irony is very real. But it also means I am deeply invested in understanding where childhood anxiety comes from, and how much of it we as parents are actually influencing. In this Follow Up episode, I brought back child psychiatrist Dr. Helen Egger to break down the nature vs. nurture of anxiety, what it actually looks like in kids and parents, and how we can interrupt the cycle without losing our minds trying. In this episode we cover: Why having anxiety as a parent puts your child at 4-6 times higher risk for anxiety, and what that actually means The difference between normal anxiety and anxiety that needs support How fear can be "contagious" in a family environment, even without realizing it The genetic component of anxiety explained as risk, not destiny Why anxious kids often also have heightened empathy and sensitivity (the strengths side of the coin) How to address your child's anxiety while managing your own The different types of anxiety: generalized, social, separation, and phobias Why getting mental health support as a parent is one of the most powerful things you can do for your child How modeling help-seeking behavior actually breaks the anxiety cycle Want more? Listen to the full, original episode. 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