How Does Anxiety Affect a Child’s Need for Control?

[Arnold]

Some anxious children become very focused on how things should happen. They may become upset when plans change or when someone does something differently. Why can anxiety create a strong need for control in children, and how can parents provide structure without reinforcing the fear of uncertainty?

 

[Hazel]

I’ve seen this with kids who get really upset when plans suddenly change. Even something simple, like taking a different route home, can turn into a big reaction. I think having things go exactly as expected can give an anxious child a little sense of safety and control.