Anxiety in Children: Signs, Support & Assessment in the Hills District
When your child seems constantly worried, refuses to go to school, or melts down over what feels like small things, it can be hard to know whether you're dealing with typical childhood anxiety or something that needs professional support. The truth is, anxiety is the most common mental health concern in children and adolescents — and it's very treatable. At Dolphin Tribe in Baulkham Hills, we help families across the Hills District understand what's driving their child's anxiety and find the right path forward.
What Types of Anxiety Affect Children?
Anxiety in children isn't one-size-fits-all. There are several recognised anxiety disorders that can emerge during childhood and adolescence, including:
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Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) — persistent, hard-to-control worry about everyday things like school, family, health, or friendships
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Separation Anxiety Disorder — intense fear of being separated from parents or caregivers, common in younger children but sometimes persisting into adolescence
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Social Anxiety Disorder — significant fear of social situations, being judged, or humiliation, which can lead to avoidance of school, parties, or everyday interactions
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Specific Phobias — intense, irrational fears of specific objects or situations (dogs, needles, storms, heights)
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Panic Disorder — recurrent, unexpected panic attacks that can feel physically frightening for both child and parent
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Selective Mutism — a type of anxiety where a child speaks freely at home but becomes unable to speak in certain social situations, such as school
Many children with anxiety also have ADHD, autism, or giftedness — which is why a thorough, specialist assessment is so important.
Signs Your Child May Have Anxiety
Anxiety in children often looks different to anxiety in adults. Rather than talking about worry, children tend to show their distress physically or behaviourally. Signs to look out for include:
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Frequent stomach aches, headaches, or feeling sick — especially before school, sport, or social events
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School refusal or avoidance of activities they previously enjoyed
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Excessive reassurance-seeking, clinginess, or difficulty separating from parents
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Difficulty sleeping — trouble falling asleep, nightmares, or wanting to sleep in your room
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Irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts that seem out of proportion to the situation
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Perfectionism or extreme fear of making mistakes
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Avoiding new situations, people, or challenges
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Physical tension — clenched jaw, tight shoulders, restlessness, or fidgeting
If these signs are persistent and are getting in the way of your child's daily life, relationships, or school performance, it's worth getting a professional opinion.
How Dolphin Tribe Assesses and Treats Child Anxiety
At Dolphin Tribe, our approach to child anxiety starts with understanding the whole child. Our team of child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists in Baulkham Hills works with families to:
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Complete a thorough clinical assessment — including a detailed developmental history, current symptoms, and exploration of contributing factors like school environment, family stress, or neurodevelopmental differences
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Rule out or identify co-occurring conditions — anxiety frequently co-exists with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and learning difficulties. For teenagers experiencing anxiety alongside other complex mental health difficulties, our adolescent psychiatry service can provide a deeper level of assessment and support
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Develop an individualised treatment plan — this may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), parent guidance and coaching, school liaison, and, where appropriate, a psychiatry referral for medication consideration
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Support the whole family — anxiety is often a family experience, and we work with parents and carers as active partners in treatment
Our goal isn't just to reduce symptoms. It's to help your child build the skills and confidence to navigate life's challenges.
For children whose anxiety is severe or complex, or where a psychiatric assessment may be needed, our child psychiatrists can help (subject to their own referral process).
Why Families in the Hills District Choose Dolphin Tribe
Dolphin Tribe is a specialist clinic. We focus exclusively on mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, which means our clinicians have deep expertise in childhood anxiety.
We're conveniently located in Baulkham Hills, making us accessible to families across the Hills District, including Castle Hill, Norwest, Kellyville, and Rouse Hill. We offer appointments with both psychiatrists and psychologists, so you get the right level of care for your child's specific needs — without being bounced between providers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Anxiety
If your child's anxiety is affecting their daily life — school attendance, friendships, sleep, or physical health — it's worth getting an assessment. You don't need to wait until things are severe. Early support leads to better outcomes.
Does my child need a GP referral to see a psychologist or psychiatrist?
To see our child psychiatrists, a referral from a GP or paediatrician is required (and required for Medicare rebates). To see a psychologist, you can self-refer, though a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan gives you access to Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per year.
Will my child need medication for anxiety?
Not necessarily. The first-line treatment for childhood anxiety is usually Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and parent guidance. Medication may be considered if anxiety is severe or if therapy alone is insufficient — and this decision is always made collaboratively with your family
Do you work with children who have ADHD or autism alongside anxiety?
Absolutely. Many of the children we see have more than one diagnosis. Our team is experienced in identifying how these conditions interact and inform each other, and a thorough assessment helps us understand the full picture.
Get Support for Your Child's Anxiety — Contact Dolphin Tribe
You don't have to navigate your child's anxiety alone. Our team at Dolphin Tribe, Baulkham Hills, is here to help you understand what's happening and find the right support. Contact our reception team to discuss your child's needs or to book an appointment: Please complete the form below or email reception@dolphintribe.com.au.