Analyzing Anxiety in Pediatrics

Analyzing Anxiety in Pediatrics

Author: Children's Hospital Colorado December 30, 2025 Duration: 26:46

Anxiety in children can serve as a safeguard or become profoundly disruptive. For pediatricians, distinguishing between developmentally appropriate worry, generalized anxiety disorder and clinically significant anxiety is rarely straightforward. In this episode, we explore how anxiety presents across childhood, why it is more than "just nerves" and how pediatricians can play a key role in early identification and support. 

Benjamin Mullin, PhD, is the lead psychologist of the Colorado OCD and Anxiety Program (COAP) at Children's Hospital Colorado, as well as an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also the Leslie and William Vollbracht Family Chair in Stress and Anxiety Disorders. 

Some highlights from this episode include: 

  • The realities of anxiety in kids 
  • When treatment is appropriate and when to refer  
  • Helping families understand anxiety without stigmatizing or minimizing their children's experience 
  • Strategies that work for long-term management  

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 


For those dedicated to the health of children, Charting Pediatrics serves as a vital, ongoing conversation directly from the front lines of pediatric care. Produced by the multidisciplinary experts at Children's Hospital Colorado, this weekly podcast delves into the nuanced realities of modern medicine for young patients. Each episode moves beyond textbook summaries to explore the practical application of groundbreaking research, emerging innovations, and essential educational resources. The discussions are candid, often tackling the complex challenges that clinicians face daily, from evolving treatment protocols to systemic issues within the healthcare community. Now in its eighth season, the program has established itself as a trusted source for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and refine their practice. Listening to this podcast feels like gaining direct access to a roundtable of specialists, all focused on a single goal: empowering medical providers with the context and confidence needed to make the best decisions for their patients. The tone is collegial and insightful, transforming the latest evidence and clinical experience into actionable understanding. It’s where the science of pediatrics meets the art of its application, fostering a supportive dialogue for anyone committed to advancing child health.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Charting Pediatrics
Podcast Episodes
Bullying is a Pediatric Health Issue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:51
Bullying doesn't always look like bruises and broken lunch trays. Sometimes it looks like a kid who suddenly "hates" school or a teen who's glued to their phone but never smiling. Other times, it's a patient who keeps sh…
First 24 Hours of Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:43
The first 24 hours of a newborn's life are not just clinical — they are electric. They're where physiology meets fear and policy meets instinct, revealing just how resilient and vulnerable babies can be. In this episode,…
Childhood Trauma and Family Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:11
In pediatrics, we often meet families during their most vulnerable moments such as illness, transition, fear and change. While pediatricians are trained to diagnose and manage disease, some of the most powerful intervent…
Adolescent Contraception 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:13
Adolescence is full of firsts. Big questions about bodies, safety and choices rise to the surface. Contraception can feel intimidating for teens and complex for pediatricians. However, it's also a powerful touchpoint to…
Sports Physicals for Young Athletes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:34
Before the Friday night lights and before the season even begins, there's one appointment that can determine athletic eligibility: the pre-participation sports physical. For pediatricians, it's often treated like a check…
Prescribing GLP-1 Medications in Pediatric Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
GLP-1 medications have become an important part of adult obesity treatment and are now increasingly relevant in pediatric care. As new approvals emerge and clinical guidance continues to evolve, pediatricians are being a…
Circumcision Conversations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:05
Circumcision is one of the most common procedures performed in newborns. For such a frequent procedure, it can stir up big conversations in the primary care office. How do you help families make informed decisions? What…
Growing Pains or Growth Problems? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:47
A growth charts tell a story long before a child can. A sudden dip, a stubborn plateau, a pubertal spurt that arrives too early, or too late, can spark big questions. From short stature to rapid puberty, it's time to unp…
Preventing Childhood Obesity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:09
When addressing obesity in the clinic, it's common to ask patients to focus on food and exercise. But what if we think upstream of the clinical problem and consider the environments, habits and systems that shape health…
Assessing Pediatric Joint Pain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:34
Joint pain is a common concern in pediatric practice. If a child is limping after sports or describes vague aches and pains, it often points to a minor injury or a self-limited condition. But in some cases, joint pain ma…