Is your child afraid or anxious?

Parenting children who are anxious often makes the parent anxious too. Parents can help their anxious child develop the skills and confidence to overcome fears so that they don’t evolve into phobic reactions. The following techniques may be used by parents to assist the child in coping with his or her anxious behavior.

Symptoms of anxiousness include:

• constant thoughts and intense fears about the safety
• fears about school and other places
• frequent stomachaches and other physical complaints
• extreme worries about everyday tasks
• being overly cautious
• panic or tantrums
• sweating, fidgety, unable to physically relax
• trouble sleeping or nightmares
• fears of meeting or talking to people
• avoidance of social situations
• few friends outside the family
• many worries about things before they happen
• constant worries or concerns about family, school, friends, or activities
• repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or actions (compulsions)
• fears of embarrassment or making mistakes
• low self esteem and lack of self-confidence

Fear is Real
As trivial as a fear may seem, it feels real to the child and it is causing him or her to feel anxious and afraid. “Being able to talk about fears can help,” Dr. Manassis says:
“Words often take some of the power out of emotion; if you can give the fear a name it becomes more manageable. As with any negative feeling, the more you talk about it, the more it becomes less powerful.”

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Further Reading:

• Dealing with Anxiety and Stress
• Breath and Reduce Stress