How to Help a Child With Anxiety
Adults and children, alike, experience some anxiety as a normal response to stressful situations. Some children may even experience anxiety so severe it interferes with daily activities.These severe bouts are sometimes diagnosed as anxiety disorders, which include phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder. As a parent, you can help your child deal with the anxiety on a daily basis and support any professional treatment she may receive.
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Support Treatment Methods
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If your child sees a health care professional for an anxiety disorder, you play a role in the success of that treatment. Show support for the types of treatments provided by the physician. If counseling is part of the treatment, ensure your child gets to the sessions on time. Let him know the importance of actively participating in the sessions. In some cases, family therapy is part of the treatment, so become an active participant in those sessions. If your child takes medication for his anxiety, help him get into a routine to ensure he takes the correct dosage at the correct times.
De-stress Home Life
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You can't always control the stress-inducing incidents your child faces at school, but you do have control over the home environment. Tune in to identify the triggers that send your child's anxiety into overdrive. She might get anxious when she has too many activities going on or when she hears arguments between family members. Perhaps lots of activity in the home overwhelms her and causes anxiety. Minimize those triggers when possible to create a less stressful home environment. Use regular routines so she knows what to expect and isn't thrown off by changes.
Advocate for Education
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School is often a trigger for anxiety in children. The overall school experience overwhelms some children. Others fear being separated from a parent when they go to school or feel anxious during texts and other high-stakes assignments. Work with your child's teacher and the school counselor to help control anxiety at school. The school should make reasonable accommodations to support your child. For example, he might go to a quiet room to take tests so he isn't distracted by other classmates. The counselor might have a quiet area with relaxing items, such as stress balls or comfortable pillows, where your child goes when he feels overwhelmed with anxiety. An individual education plan -- IEP -- is sometimes used to outline the specific accommodations the school will make for your child.
Tune In to the Child
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Simply tuning in to your child can help you minimize the anxiety reaction before it escalates. Note the signs that indicate the start of anxious feelings in your child. Encourage her to implement strategies that ease the anxiety, such as breathing exercises or distraction with an activity she enjoys. Be supportive when she tries something new. She needs encouragement without too much pressure to perform. Don't forget to praise her for her efforts and achievements. Never dismiss her anxiety or fears as irrational. Your child feels her concerns are very real and needs help dealing with those feelings rather than being punished or having the feelings brushed aside.
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