How Is Age Related to Anxiety?

Having some mild anxiety from time to time is normal. But, for some people, persistent anxiety, worry, and fear can be symptoms of an anxiety disorder — especially if these symptoms get in the way of day-to-day life. 

Anxiety disorders are common in people of all ages. But they can have different symptoms and risk factors at different ages. And researchers are learning that anxiety disorders can look different depending on age and that treatment decisions need to consider age. 

In this article, we’ll discuss what anxiety disorders look like in children, teens, young adults, and older adults. Read on for more information about what anxiety looks like at different stages of life as well as which symptoms and disorders are most common in each age group.  

Does anxiety get worse with age?

Anxiety disorders don’t necessarily get worse with age. But the number of people dealing with them may change across the lifespan. This may be due to a range of things, including changes in the brain and nervous system that happen with age and the higher likelihood of experiencing stressful life events that can trigger anxiety. 

The types of anxiety that people face may also vary with age. For example, phobias and panic disorder often first appear in childhood or early adulthood. But older adults may be more likely to experience generalized anxiety disorder. Let’s walk through each of these age groups.

Anxiety in young children

Young children can experience anxiety, though it can sometimes look different from anxiety in teens or adults. Children with anxiety may worry about the future and fear being separated from loved ones. They may also fear people, places, or things. 

How common is anxiety in children?

Anxiety is more common in older children than in younger children. Around 1% of children ages 3 to 5 and 6% of children ages 6 to 11 show signs of an anxiety disorder. 

Signs of anxiety in children

Some anxiety is normal and healthy in young children. Separation anxiety among toddlers is common when they’re away from their parents or caregivers. And they may experience stranger anxiety when they meet people they don’t know. But a child may be dealing with an anxiety disorder if their anxiety interferes with school, play, or home life.

Here are the most common anxiety disorders in children:

• Separation anxiety: This is when a child is fearful of separating from parents or caregivers. Sometimes they refuse to separate at all. Children worry that something bad will happen when they’re apart. Separation anxiety is normal between 18 months and 3 years of age. But it might be a sign of a disorder if it continues beyond that.

• Generalized anxiety: This is a wide variety of worries and fears, to the point that a child becomes preoccupied with these thoughts. Anxiety often interferes with sleep, schoolwork, and activities. 

• Panic disorder: This involves episodes of intense fear (panic attacks) that may include symptoms like dizziness, rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing. The child may also be scared of having more panic attacks.

• Phobias: A child may be afraid of specific objects or places, such as animals or the doctor’s office. And they may refuse to interact with them despite reassurance and support.

• Social anxiety disorder: A child feels fearful of and refuses to be in public places, like school. The child worries that they will do something embarrassing or that others will judge them. 

It’s important to remember that children may have a hard time expressing their anxiety in words. Instead of talking about their fear, they may seem irritable or have physical pains and trouble sleeping. Depending on their symptoms, other people may label them as “shy,” “clingy,” or a “worrier.” They may also have a hard time at school or in social situations. 

Risk factors

There are no known causes of anxiety disorders. But certain risk factors or experiences may raise the chances that a child may develop anxiety, including:

• Having certain genetics

• Growing up with a parent or sibling with an anxiety disorder

• Having medical problems

• Experiencing the death or loss of a loved one

• Experiencing problems in school, such as difficulty learning or bullying

Treating anxiety in children

There are many treatments for childhood anxiety disorders. These include:

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best type of therapy for childhood anxiety disorders. CBT may involve gradually exposing a child to their fears and teaching them how to cope in the process. CBT can also help a child reframe negative thoughts and learn new ways to cope with worry and fear.

• School-based interventions: This is where parents work with teachers if a child’s anxiety affects their academic performance or ability to go to school.

• Medications: Some children also benefit from taking medications, either on their own or combined with therapy. Commonly prescribed medications include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), like duloxetine (Cymbalta), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil), as well as SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), like venlafaxine (Effexor). 

Anxiety in teens

Anxiety in teens is even more common than it is in younger children. Teens go through many physical and emotional changes that can contribute to developing anxiety. 

How common is anxiety in teens?

About 1 in 10 teens ages 12 to 17 experience anxiety at any given time. Almost 1 in 3 teens have dealt with an anxiety disorder. 

Signs of anxiety in teens

Signs of generalized and social anxiety, phobias, and panic disorder in teens can be like those in younger children. But other times, teens can deal with their anxiety in very different ways. They may act out by using drugs, alcohol, or sex to cope with their feelings. They may also refuse to go to school or spend time with peers. And they may report physical symptoms, like stomach aches, headaches, muscle pains, and fatigue. 

Risk factors

Children who experience anxiety are more likely to experience anxiety as teens. Other risk factors that can raise the chances that a teen develops anxiety include:

• Genetics

• Having a family member with an anxiety disorder

• Stressful life events, like divorce, health issues, or death of a loved one

• Going through a difficult time at school or at home

• Medical problems

• Alcohol or drug use

• Social media use

• A lack of sleep at night

Treating anxiety in teens

As with young children, treatment for anxiety in teens usually involves CBT (which can include behavioral and exposure therapy) and/or medications, including SSRIs and SNRIs. 

The type of anxiety disorder and how severe it is help determine whether medications will be helpful. Some studies show that treatment that includes both therapy and medication may be more effective at lowering anxiety in teens than either medication or therapy alone. 

Anxiety in young to middle-age adults

Many adults experience anxiety. Adults who have had anxiety as children and teens may be more likely to develop anxiety again in their adult years.

How common is anxiety in adults?

Based on a 2001 to 2003 survey of adults in the U.S. ages 18 to 60, over 32% of adults reported having had an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Adults ages 30 to 44 have the highest rate of anxiety of this age group, with around 23% of people this age reporting an anxiety disorder within the past year. 

Signs of anxiety in adults

Signs of anxiety in adults depend on the particular disorder. Here’s how different disorders may look: 

• Generalized anxiety disorder: Someone worries excessively for months about things like work, school, finances, and relationships. It may come with muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, and irritability. 

• Panic disorder: Someone may have repeat panic attacks that may include sudden fear or dread, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and shaking. People with panic disorder often feel afraid of having more panic attacks in the future. 

• Specific phobia: This is an intense fear of an object, situation, or place. People with a phobia may either avoid them or endure them with a lot of anxiety. 

• Social anxiety disorder: This is significant fear of social situations because of fear of being judged or embarrassed. The individual may endure them reluctantly or avoid them all together.

Risk factors

Risk factors for anxiety in adults are similar to those in other age groups. They include:

• Shy or inhibited temperament as a child

• A history of stressful or traumatic life events

• A family history of mental health issues

• Certain physical health issues, like hypothyroidism

Treating anxiety in adults

Treating anxiety in adults can involve psychotherapy, medications, or both. As with other age groups, CBT (including behavioral and exposure therapy) can be an effective treatment for many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and phobias.

There’s a wider range of antianxiety medications for adults: 

• SSRIs and SNRIs are first-choice options. 

• Benzodiazepines, like alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin), can also help treat anxiety disorders, like generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. These types of medications are prescribed extra carefully, since they can lead to tolerance and dependence.

• Buspirone (Buspar) is another medication that can sometimes help with anxiety. It’s not a benzodiazepine and does not have a risk of dependence. 

Anxiety in older adults

Adults 60 years of age and older are more likely to experience physical symptoms of anxiety than younger people. This age group also has a higher risk for medical problems, and they may take more medications. Both of these things can raise the risk of developing an anxiety disorder. 

How common is anxiety in older adults? 

Researchers believe that anxiety affects at least 4% of older adults. The percentage might be higher because older adults tend to experience physical symptoms of anxiety rather than worry or fear. So they may not report that they have anxiety.

Signs of anxiety in older adults

Along with constant and debilitating worry, older adults with anxiety often have physical symptoms, like:

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Restlessness

• Poor concentration

• Trouble sleeping

Older adults may be reluctant to talk about their feelings or admit they’re dealing with an emotional issue. It’s important to know this because older adults with anxiety tend to experience other mental health issues, like depression, at the same time.

Risk factors

Risk factors that can raise the risk of anxiety in older adults include:

• Medical problems

• Chronic pain

• Limited functioning, such as difficulty walking or getting around

• Loss of family or friends 

• Financial changes due to retirement 

• Physical, verbal, financial, or sexual abuse, neglect, or abandonment (also known as elder abuse)

Treating anxiety in older adults

Again, treatment for anxiety in older adults may include psychotherapy and/or medication. Practicing relaxation strategies to lower stress can also be helpful. 

When it comes to anxiety medications, older adults may absorb and metabolize them at different rates. So, to prevent dangerous side effects, they may need lower doses and close monitoring. 

Common medication options include:

• Buspirone (Buspar)

• Antidepressants, like escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), and duloxetine (Cymbalta)

• Certain benzodiazepines, like diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Klonopin) 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health professional with over 10 years of clinical experience.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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