Lately, I’ve noticed my 12 yr old daughter acting differently and I’m starting to wonder if she might be dealing with anxiety or maybe I’m just overanalyzing things. She’s been more quiet than usual and some days she says she doesn’t want to go to school because her stomach hurts or she’s just tired. I know there’s so much information out there about anxiety in kids and to be honest it’s got me feeling anxious just thinking about it.
I don’t want to jump to conclusions but I also don’t want to miss something important. Has anyone else been through this? How did you know if it was anxiety or just a phase? Could really use some guidance on what signs to look out for and how to help without overwhelming her or myself.
This sounds so familiar but I’m right there with youtrying to figure it out. My son has had phases where he’s super withdrawn too, and every time I wonder if it’s normal or something else going on. It’s hard to know what’s a real issue versus what’s just us worrying, right? What do you usually say to her when she tells you she’s tired or doesn’t want to go to school?
I know it can feel overwhelming but the fact that you’re paying attention to her shows how much you care and that already puts you on the right track. My daughter went through something similar around that age and it turned out to be a mix of adjusting to new responsibilities and some social challenges at school. I’d recommend keeping communication open, let her know she can talk to you about anything, no pressure. Sometimes journaling or doing an activity together like a walk can get them to open up without it feeling like an interrogation. You’ve got this!