Anxiety does not always look like anxiety. It can appear as having difficulty sleeping, over-planning, or even perfectionism. The “anxiety iceberg” reminds clients that these visible behaviors may only be the surface, while deeper emotions remain hidden underneath.
The Anxiety Iceberg handout presents the anxiety iceberg divided into two parts: above and beneath the waterline. Above the surface are the visible signs, while beneath is a brain emoji surrounded by deeper feelings such as scared, embarrassed, stuck, and insecure. After reading the handout, clients can pair it with the Anxiety Iceberg worksheet to explore the feelings that other’s can’t see.
By using the handout, kids and teens can build self-awareness and learn to cope with anxiety. You might begin by sharing a short story about a child who is scared of making mistakes. Then ask, “What do you think was hiding under the water for them?” to open the door for them to explore their own iceberg.
References:
- Lunn, J., Greene, D., Callaghan, T., & Egan, S. J. (2023). Associations between perfectionism and symptoms of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression in young people: a meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 52(5), 460–487. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2023.2211736
- Kendall, P. C., & Pimentel, S. S. (2003). On the physiological symptom constellation in youth with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Journal of anxiety disorders, 17(2), 211–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0887-6185(02)00196-2
