11 Phrases Kids Say That Are Code Words For “I’m Anxious”

Anxiety has more than one symptom and most of them are hidden, especially in children. This is the reason why children are not treated for anxiety often, which can result in a variety of problems later in their life. Here are some phrases kids use which can help you detect if they’re suffering from the problem:

“What’s wrong with me?”

If you’ve noticed that your child is expressing self-doubt more often, it may be actually anxious. If your son or daughter is saying “What’s wrong with me?” whenever they make a mistake, you may need to take them to a psychologist.

“I don’t feel well”

Sometimes, it may be a simple stomachache or headache, but sometimes, complaining about pains and aches may indicate anxiety. If it happens too often, you should take your child at a psychologist.

“I’m uncomfortable”

If your child is complaining about not being comfortable, it may indicate anxiety

“Can you leave the light on?”

When your child is asking for you to leave the light on when they’re sleeping, make no mistake that something’s wrong, and its usually anxiety. This habit needs to be eradicated, or your children will never learn to sleep normally in the dark, which will lead to further problems.

“Don’t leave me”

If your child is saying this often and doesn’t want to be left alone even when it’s absolutely necessary, it might be because of separation anxiety, which can progress into even bigger problems.


“I want to go home” and “Is it time to leave yet?”

Your child may be suffering from anxiety if they can’t seem to sit down and go through the party. This can become a pretty big problem later if left untreated.

“Can’t we stay home?”

If your child is reluctant to leave home, they may be suffering from anxiety. Staying home may make them feel secure, but it can cause massive separation anxiety problems in the future.

“I don’t want to!”

If your child refuses to do what you say to them, it may be because of anxiety. This kind of behavior will make them irresponsible and create big problems later in their life.

“I’m sorry”

Of course, your child should be sorry for something bad they did, but if they’re apologizing too often, it may be because they’re suffering from anxiety and are insecure about themselves. This will create issues later in their life, especially in difficult situations.

“Don’t make me”

When your child is avoiding doing something and always making excuses not to do anything, you can bet its because of their anxiety. Constant refusal is a pretty big problem which can make your kids outcasts later in life.

“I’m tired”

It’s normal for everyone to feel tired after working all day long, but if your child is complaining about being tired constantly, they might be suffering from anxiety.

If you recognize these sentences and your child is saying them far too often, it might be time for a trip to the psychologist. It’s best to cut anxiety down in its roots instead of dealing with the consequences later.