CHILDREN CAN LEARN THE COURAGE TO CONQUER THEIR FEARS

Anxiety Treatment for Kids — Kids @ HFC Becoming Bold As Lions – Source: Wallpaperwide

Fears or anxiety is a common normal part of development. Newborns can be seen to display a little “startle reflex” when they experience a sudden unpredictable change in their bodies or environment. Young children often have fears of the dark, monsters, strangers, etc. However, when fears and worries are ongoing and restricts daily activities, routines, and relationships it may be time to seek additional support. It is estimated that 10% of children suffer today from some form of childhood anxiety. Currently there are a number of well researched forms of interventions (e.g. cognitive behaviour therapy, ‘CBT’) for childhood anxiety treatment in the mental health field.

The Signs + Symptoms -What Anxiety Might Look Like

Difficulty sleeping – falling asleep and staying asleep
Avoidance of common tasks, situations, or people
Excessive worrying about a wide range of things, everything is concerning
Striving for control over life and an unsatisfying pursuit for perfection
Emotional distress when away from a parent or caregiver often due to a fear that something bad will happen to them or the loved one (clinging).
An intense fear of a specific object, person, or (place, animal, familiar objects, etc.)
A stifling apprehension in new or unfamiliar social situations
Frequent complaints about physical symptoms – difficulty breathing, headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, etc. These symptoms are not related to any diagnosed medical conditions.
Racing, and intrusive thoughts – ”what if…?“, ” You should…“, “why didn’t you …?”
Nightmares or scary dreams
Reliving past traumatic experiences as if they are happening again in the present (see post traumatic stress disorder, as of child abuse, domestic violence, etc.)

Living With a Child with An Anxiety Disorder

Parents, in fact, all members of a family, share in the torture of chronic anxiety attacks with their child.

Many family members have told me in therapy sessions of their experiences with one, or a few of, the following (Can you relate?):

Helpless – you observe your child struggling and feeling swept away by the flood of powerful emotions and you are unable to stop it, you are unable to rescue them
Hopeless – you have tried a number of tips, tricks, and techniques but no progress is made. You secretly wonder in fear yourself …”Will this ever end?“
Defensive and Irritated – Weaknesses and vulnerabilities in your child plus the unending demand for your comfort and assurance occasionally provokes an anger within you. You may feel trapped by their powerlessness. You might react with impatience
Guilty – you question if you have somehow damaged your child and caused him/her to become so fearful and insecure. You search in your mind through your parenting history for clues of your misdeed.

Hold on to HOPE

While living with anxiety can feel very imprisoning, I have hope for your mastery and healing. At Help For Families Canada we are here to support both your child and your family to gain success and tools that fosters a happy, confident, peaceful life. With our patient guidance and systematic interventions children have become:

more independent,