Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric conditions. Risk factors include a family history of anxiety; adverse childhood experiences such as abuse, exposure to overly strict or harsh parenting styles or parental problems such as domestic violence; mental health issues and being bullied by peers; environmental stressors such as low socioeconomic status or emotional trauma; substance misuse; and chronic or painful conditions such as arthritis. Anxiety is also a risk factor in itself, with sufferers at increased risk of developing depression, substance misuse, suicidal ideation and attempts, and physical health problems such
as inflammatory bowel disease.

While all children go through times when they feel frightened, for most it is simply part of growing up. Many young children will, for example, experience separation anxiety when starting nursery or school, but with understanding, support and care, will quickly move past it. For others, worries may persist a little longer. Being scared of the dark is quite common, for instance, but other than requiring some minor modifications such as installing a night light, or leaving a door open, it does not interfere with development or impact on other aspects of daily life. In some cases, however, a childhood anxiety disorder may well persist into adolescence and beyond.

For teenagers, concerns about appearance, fitting in with peers, forming and maintaining friendships, coping with academic or sporting pressures, and doing the right thing in terms of social media are all very common. But it is their resilience and coping strategies that are key. Changes in behaviour or performance at school, limiting activities, and exhibiting physical symptoms are all indicators that functioning is being affected.