Childhood Anxiety in Florida

Does your child worry a lot? Do they seem scared or stressed more than other kids? You're not alone. Many Florida families are dealing with childhood anxiety right now. The good news is that help is here, and kids can feel better.

At Sunset Behavioral Health, we help children and families find peace again. Our solo provider, Luisa Garcia, a dual certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 13 years of experience, speaks English and Spanish.
We offer virtual care so your child feels safe at home. Best of all, you can talk to us for free and get help within 48 hours.

What Is Childhood Anxiety?

Anxiety is when kids feel very worried or scared about things. All children worry sometimes. That's normal. But when worry takes over their life, it becomes a problem.

Kids with anxiety might feel scared about:

• Going to school

• Being away from parents

• Making friends

• Trying new things

• Getting hurt or sick

These big feelings can make it hard for kids to enjoy life. They might miss out on fun activities or feel sad a lot.

Signs Your Child Might Have Anxiety

Every child is different. But here are some signs that anxiety might be affecting your little one:

Physical signs:

• Headaches or stomach aches

• Trouble sleeping

• Getting tired easily

• Shaking or sweating

Emotional signs:

• Crying more than usual

• Getting angry quickly

• Feeling very scared

• Worrying about everything

Behavior changes:

• Not wanting to go to school

• Staying close to parents all the time

• Avoiding activities they used to enjoy

• Having trouble making friends

If you see these signs, don't worry. With the right help, your child can feel happy and confident again.

Why Are More Florida Kids Struggling?

You're not imagining it. More children in Florida are dealing with anxiety and depression than before. Between 2016 and 2020, the number went up by over 20%. That means about 1 out of every 10 Florida children has anxiety or depression.

Several things make kids feel more worried:

Money stress: When families worry about paying bills, kids feel it too. Children pick up on their parents' stress.

Moving a lot: Some families have to move often because of housing costs. This makes kids feel unsure and scared.

Hard life events: Things like losing a grandparent, parents getting divorced, or feeling unsafe can make kids anxious.

School pressure: Kids today face a lot of pressure to do well in school and activities.

Too much screen time: Being online too much can make kids compare themselves to others and feel bad.

The most important thing to remember is this: It's not your fault, and it's not your child's fault. These are big problems that need grown-up help to fix.

How Anxiety Affects the Whole Family

When a child has anxiety, everyone in the family feels it. Parents might:

• Feel guilty or confused

• Wonder what they did wrong

• Get frustrated when nothing seems to help

• Feel scared about their child's future

Brothers and sisters might feel:

• Left out when the anxious child gets more attention

• Worried about their sibling

• Confused about why family activities change

This is why getting help is so important. When your child feels better, your whole family can heal together.

The Good News: Kids Can Get Better

Here's what every parent needs to know: Childhood anxiety is very treatable. With the right care, kids can learn to manage their worries and feel confident again.

Treatment helps kids:

• Understand their feelings

• Learn ways to calm down

• Build confidence

• Make friends

• Enjoy school and activities again

• Sleep better at night

Many children start feeling better within just a few weeks of getting help. Some see big improvements in their first month.

Why Virtual Care Works Great for Kids

At Sunset Behavioral Health, we offer virtual psychiatric care. This means your child can talk to our provider, Luisa Garcia, a dual certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 13 years of experience, from your own home. Here's why this works so well:

Kids feel safe: Being at home helps nervous children relax and open up.

No travel stress: You don't have to worry about traffic or finding parking.

Family can join: Parents and siblings can easily be part of sessions when needed.

Flexible scheduling: We can find times that work around school and activities.

Privacy: Your child won't worry about seeing classmates in a waiting room.

Many parents tell us their kids actually prefer virtual visits. Children often feel more comfortable talking when they're in their own space.

Our Caring Approach at Sunset Behavioral Health

We understand that every child is special. Our solo provider, Luisa Garcia, a dual certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 13 years of experience, takes time to really listen to your family. Here's what makes us different:

We speak your language: Our solo provider, Luisa Garcia, a dual certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 13 years of experience, provides care in English and Spanish. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions.

Fast help: Most families can start getting help within 48 hours. No long waiting lists.

Kid-friendly care: Our provider, Luisa Garcia, a dual certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 13 years of experience, knows how to talk to children in ways they understand.

Family support: We help parents learn ways to support their child at home.

Whole-person care: We look at sleep, school, friendships, and family life – not just symptoms.

Insurance friendly: We work with many insurance plans to make care affordable.

What Treatment Looks Like

When you choose Sunset Behavioral Health, here's what you can expect:

First visit (free consultation): We'll talk about what's been going on and answer all your questions. This helps us understand how to help your child best.

Regular check-ins: Your child will have regular video visits with their provider, Luisa Garcia, a dual certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 13 years of experience. These might be weekly at first, then less often as they get better.

Family involvement: We'll teach you ways to help your child manage anxiety at home.

School support: If needed, we can work with your child's school to make sure they get the support they need.

Medication (if helpful): Some children benefit from medication to help manage their symptoms. We'll talk about this together if it might help.

The most important thing is that your child will never feel judged or rushed. We go at their pace and celebrate every small step forward.

Supporting Your Child at Home

While getting professional help is important, there are things you can do at home to help your anxious child:

Listen without trying to fix: Sometimes kids just need someone to hear their worries.

Keep routines: Regular bedtimes, meals, and activities help kids feel secure.

Limit news and scary content: Too much scary information can make anxiety worse.

Praise brave moments: When your child tries something that scares them, celebrate it.

Take care of yourself: Kids do better when their parents are doing well too.

Be patient: Healing takes time. Some days will be better than others.

Hope for Florida Families

If you're reading this because you're worried about your child, take a deep breath. You're already doing something important by looking for help. That shows how much you love your child.

Thousands of Florida families have found hope and healing through proper mental health care. Your child can be one of them. With the right support, anxious children grow up to be confident, happy adults who can handle life's challenges.

Remember: asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You're giving your child the gift of emotional health that will last their whole life.

Take the First Step Today

Don't let anxiety steal another day from your child's happiness. At Sunset Behavioral Health, we're here to help your family find peace and joy again.

Ready to start healing? Book your free 15-minute consultation today. We can usually see new families within 48 hours. Your child deserves to feel confident and happy. Let us help make that happen.

Call us or visit sbhmind.com to schedule your free consultation. Our solo provider, Luisa Garcia, a dual certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over 13 years of experience, is waiting to help your family start feeling better. Together, we can help your child build a brighter, more confident future.

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