Anxiety After Loss | A Child’s Grief

 We all deal with anxiety from time to time. Taking a test, starting a new job, or making an important decision- all are cases where one is expected to feel a sense of anxiety. As children learn to navigate life and understand social norms, they are prone to experience anxiety as they deal with school experiences such as making friends and excelling academically. 

In the case of grieving children, many parents have reported noticing an increased feeling of anxiety in their child after they have lost a loved one. 

Children & Separation Anxiety

In children, anxiety may manifest itself in the child having an increased sense of fear, causing them not to want to go to school or attend other social settings. Some parents notice an increased sense of attachment where their child has a hard time being away from them. Especially in cases where one parent has died, children can develop separation anxiety during their grieving journey, making them not want to be away from their remaining parent. 

References

Child Bereavement UK. “Supporting a Bereaved Child with Separation Anxiety.” Child

Bereavement UK, 9 Apr. 2025, www.childbereavementuk.org/bereaved-child-separation-anxiety.

Cruse Bereavement Support. “Grief and Anxiety.” Cruse Bereavement Support,

www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/effects-of-grief/grief-and-anxiety/.

NHS. “Anxiety in Children.” Nhs.uk, 2021, www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young

adults/advice-for-parents/anxiety-in-children/.

Paulson, Deirdre. “Helping Children Manage Anxiety.” Mayo Clinic Health System, 31 Aug.

2021, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/9-tools-for-helping-your-child-manage-anxiety.

Young Minds. “Supporting a Child with Anxiety | Tips & Advice.” YoungMinds,

www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/anxiety/#Whatmakesyoungpeopleanxious.