A child or young person who is exhibiting strong signs of anxiety, particularly if it is interfering with their quality of life, should be encouraged to seek medical help. For those reluctant to see a GP, local youth counselling services may be available. Educational institutes can provide information and often a referral, and a location search is available via the NHS website. 

While most anxiety disorders are managed in primary care, there are always some cases that require more specialist attention. There should be regular monitoring of all patients with anxiety, to assess the effectiveness of any interventions put in place and adjust them as necessary. Some other forms of support available include: 

• Talking therapy is advised as the first treatment for anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered particularly useful as it can help the patient understand and therefore deal with the causes of their anxiety and find strategies for coping 
• Guided self-help is available in the form of Reading Well scheme which offers books on prescription through most local libraries, including in electronic form. Find out more about the scheme 
• Medication has a place for some, with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor usually the first drug offered. There are other pharmacological options available but as is always the case with young people, care needs to be taken to check licensing restrictions plus dosing.