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Warning-sign checks

Generalized anxiety disorder in children: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek urgent or emergency help if the child:

    • Says they intend to harm or kill themselves
    • Has made a suicide attempt or cannot be kept safe
    • Is severely confused, agitated, or behaving dangerously
    • Has chest pain, fainting, or severe breathing difficulty

    Use local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department when there is immediate danger.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the child's treatment team promptly if symptoms suddenly worsen, medicine causes concerning changes, or the child develops marked agitation, unusual behaviour, hopelessness, or thoughts about death.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if worry has lasted several weeks, keeps returning, or affects sleep, school, friendships, physical comfort, or family life.

    Help is also appropriate if a child increasingly avoids activities, repeatedly seeks reassurance, or has frequent unexplained headaches or stomach aches.

The article also says

You do not need to wait six months to seek support.

That period is part of formal diagnostic criteria, not a requirement for receiving help.

Do not assume serious physical symptoms are caused by anxiety.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Generalized anxiety disorder in children. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.