It’s no secret that children can be a little anxious. After all, the world is a big and scary place.
But for some kids, anxiety can be more than just a passing phase. It can be a chronic condition that can have a lasting impact on their lives.
And it’s not just kids who suffer from anxiety. Many adults deal with it as well. Studies have shown that untreated childhood anxiety can manifest well into adulthood.
So what exactly is anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or fear. It can be mild or severe and can last for a short time or a long time.
One can deal with mild-to-moderate anxiety by themselves. But when it gets severe, it is advised to seek professional help.
Typical Childhood Anxieties & Its Adulthood Manifestations
1. Separation Anxiety
One of the most common childhood anxieties is separation anxiety. This is when a child feels scared when they are away from their parent or caregiver.
This can stem from different scenarios:
- If a parent abandons the child when they are throwing tantrums (typically experienced by kids of 2-3 years).
- If a parent is always working and the child rarely sees them.
- If a divorce takes place and the child has to shuttle between both parents.
The child may feel insecure and worried that their parents may not come back. As a result, they may cry, cling to their parent or have trouble sleeping.
In adulthood, separation anxiety can manifest itself in several ways.
In adulthood, this manifests as:
- Fear of abandonment
- Difficulty in forming or maintaining relationships
- Commitment issues
- Insecurity
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating when they are away from home.
2. Social Anxiety
Another common childhood anxiety is social anxiety. This is when a child feels anxious or scared in social situations, such as meeting new people, going to parties or speaking in front of others.
They may worry that they will do something embarrassing or that others will judge them. As a result, they may avoid social situations, feel extremely self-conscious or have trouble speaking.
This might stem from situations like:
- Being the new kid in school
- Having to give a presentation in front of the class
- Being bullied by peers
- Parents who are overprotective or who embarrass their kids in public frequently.
In adulthood, this manifests as:
- Fear of public speaking or performing
- Avoiding social situations
- Difficulty making or maintaining relationships
- Extreme self-consciousness
- Trouble speaking or thinking clearly when in social situations.
3. Fear of losing parent’s love
When love is only given as a reward for being good, children may feel that they have to be good all the time in order to be loved. They may also feel anxious that they will lose their parent’s love if they make a mistake.
This might stem from situations like:
- Having strict parents or overbearing parents
- Parents who are always critical of their kids
- Parents who withhold love as a way to discipline their children.
- Parental favoritism
In adulthood, this manifests as:
- Difficulty in forming or maintaining relationships
- Fear of rejection
- People-pleasing behaviors
- Codependent behaviors
- Low self-esteem.
Recommended reading: 7 Parenting Mistakes That Can Cause Childhood Trauma
Recommended reading: How Your Childhood Trauma Impacts Your Parenting Style
4. Fear of not being good enough
Parents have expectations from their children and may compare them with other kids. This can make children feel like they are not good enough and that they have to meet certain standards in order to be loved and accepted.
So, they feel pressure to be good at everything. Or they fear they will not be loved or they aren’t worthy of love.
This might stem from situations like:
- Having strict or overbearing parents
- Parents who are always critical of their kids
- Parents who have unrealistic expectations of their children.
In adulthood, this manifests as:
- Fear of failure
- Impostor syndrome
- Perfectionism
- Procrastination
- Low self-esteem.
Anxiety is a common emotion that can be traced back to childhood anxieties. These anxieties may manifest themselves in different ways in adulthood. However, there are ways to manage and cope with these anxieties so that they do not interfere with one’s life. If you feel like you are struggling with anxiety, please seek professional help.
